What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin Protecting
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingParfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Maris Sal, Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Coconut Acid, Glyceryl Laurate, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Pyridoxine Hcl, Zinc Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Parfum, Limonene, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneWe don't have a description for Maris Sal yet.
Parfum 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 Parfum
