What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSqualane
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientRhamnose
HumectantGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlucuronic Acid
BufferingGlucose
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Water, Glycerin, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Squalane, Sodium Chloride, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Rhamnose, Glucomannan, Propanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucuronic Acid, Glucose, Sodium Benzoate, Coco-Glucoside, Parfum, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Geraniol, Limonene, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Trideceth Sulfate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberBHT
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantDenatonium Benzoate
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMel
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamide Mea, Parfum, Citric Acid, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Benzophenone-3, BHT, Glycerin, Denatonium Benzoate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Xanthan Gum, Mel, Lactic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Coumarin, Caramel, CI 19140, CI 14700
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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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum