What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantPsidium Guajava Seed Oil
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Psidium Guajava Seed Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Allantoin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Lactic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingGlycereth-26
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Amodimethicone
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
SurfactantPropylene Glycol
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningLaureth-9
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Nitrate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Acetate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMelanin
Skin ProtectingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycol Distearate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyquaternium-10, Amodimethicone, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, C11-15 Pareth-7, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Laureth-9, Glycerin, C12-13 Pareth-23, Benzyl Alcohol, C12-13 Pareth-3, Trideceth-12, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Magnesium Nitrate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Melanin, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Pentylene Glycol, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (aka marula oil) is a skin hydrating ingredient.
Its fatty acid profile is dominated by oleic acid (~69%), palmitic acid (~15%), linoleic acid (~9%), and palmitoleic acid (~4%).
These fatty acids are very similar to those naturally found in the epidermis, making this oil biomimetic; basically, your skin recognizes it.
Clinical testing found this ingredient to be moisturizing and non-irritating, with noteworthy effects on reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Besides fatty acids, marula oil is also rich in oxidative stabilizers like vitamin E, vitamin C precursors, and polyphenols. This gives it excellent shelf stability compared to most facial oils.
This is a great ingredient for dry, dull, or barrier-compromised skin.
Just know it may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fatty acids can as as a food source for the Malassezia yeast.
Learn more about Sclerocarya Birrea Seed OilSodium 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 Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.
Water. 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