What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDimethyl Lauramide/Myristamide
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyquaternium-10
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Dimethyl Lauramide/Myristamide, Parfum, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Propanediol, Polyquaternium-10, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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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.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWater. 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