What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePiroctone Olamine
PreservativeGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTetrahydrocurcumin
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientNardostachys Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-7
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingPoterium Sanguisorba Root Extract
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantTerminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Piroctone Olamine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Menthol, Cocamide Mea, Decyl Glucoside, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Caffeine, Polyquaternium-11, Butylene Glycol, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Caprylyl Glycol, Nardostachys Chinensis Extract, PPG-7, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Poterium Sanguisorba Root Extract, Propanediol, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventQuaternium-80
Polyquaternium-7
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide Mea, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Piroctone Olamine, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Quaternium-80, Polyquaternium-7, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidThis ingredient is made by combining the fatty acids from coconut oil with monoethanolamine. It is an emulsifier that helps boost foam, thicken texture, and help keep ingredients together in a formula.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 ParfumPiroctone Olamine targets Malassezia, the fungus responsible for dandruff, which is why you'll find it in many anti-dandruff shampoos.
It's also water-soluble, so it blends easily into these formulas.
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-10We don't have a description for PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether yet.
Sodium 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 ChlorideSodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant, cleansing agent, and foaming agent. You'll find it in a wide range of products from shampoos to face cleansers.
It:
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has assessed it in 1983, 2002, and 2005 and found it to be safe in formulations at low concentrations.
SLS is a well-documented skin irritant at higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure. It's actually the gold standard positive control used in dermatological patch testing, meaning doctors use it because they know it will cause a reaction in people.
In one large study of 43,000 patiences tested with 0.25% SLS, about 22% showed some level of reactivity. It increases transepidermal water loss that disrupts your outermost layer of skin.
Face cleansers often pair this ingredient with mild co-surfactants like Cocamidopropyl Betaine to buffer its harshness.
Just so you know, SLS does not trigger true allergic contact dermatitis. This just means it can irritate your skin but doesn't cause your immune system to develop a lasting allergy to it.
Despite internet rumors, SLS is not considered a carcinogen by any major regulatory body.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateWater. 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