What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Glycol Distearate
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyssopus Officinalis Extract
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantChlorella Ferment
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Phytate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Glycol Distearate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Lactobacillus, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Chlorella Ferment, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Caramel, Sodium Phytate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCoconut Acid
CleansingClimbazole
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-10
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantMaltitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Isethionate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlutamine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingCysteine
AntioxidantAsparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantTriticum Vulgare Gluten
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamide Mipa, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Lauryl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caffeine, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Coconut Acid, Climbazole, Polyquaternium-10, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Maltitol, Xylitol, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Sodium Isethionate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Biotin, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Cysteine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine, Ornithine, Carnitine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine, Triticum Vulgare Gluten, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Benzoic Acid, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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-10Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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