What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Tipa-Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAlumina
Abrasive
Gentiana Lutea Extract
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Lauric Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Behenate, Propanediol, Tipa-Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cera Microcristallina, Parfum, CI 77891, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Tetrasodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Alumina, Gentiana Lutea Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Fructose
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Tromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Escin
TonicEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Harungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningEngelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Fructose, Carbomer, Hexylresorcinol, Parfum, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Escin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Citric Acid, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Engelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract, CI 14700, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Dextran
Reviews
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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
