What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAcetamide Mea
HumectantMyristamine Oxide
CleansingMagnesium Chloride
Sorbitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Polyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingTetrasodium EDTA
Magnesium Nitrate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeExtracts
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Acetamide Mea, Myristamine Oxide, Magnesium Chloride, Sorbitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Tetrasodium EDTA, Magnesium Nitrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Extracts, CI 60730
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyquaternium-4
Polyquaternium-10
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acacia Senegal Gum, Corn Starch Modified, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coco-Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-4, Polyquaternium-10, Panthenol, Pvp, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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