What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Magnesium Nitrate
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Pantethine
EmollientPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingTrisodium Sulfosuccinate
BufferingGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Coco-Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Glycol Distearate, Glycereth-26, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Phenyl Trimethicone, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium PCA, Pantethine, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Laureth-3, Trisodium Sulfosuccinate, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate
EmollientEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mipa, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Squalane, Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
