What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingZinc Pyrithione
AntiseborrhoeicParfum
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeMenthol
MaskingPPG-9
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantClimbazole
AntimicrobialMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Zinc Pyrithione, Parfum, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, DMDM Hydantoin, Menthol, PPG-9, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Climbazole, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77266, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycereth-26
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Polyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-11
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Laureth-9
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantPseudozyma Epicola/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantBis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPalmitoyl Myristyl Serinate
Skin ConditioningCitral
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycol Distearate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Polyquaternium-11, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, C11-15 Pareth-7, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Laureth-9, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, C12-13 Pareth-3, C12-13 Pareth-23, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Pseudozyma Epicola/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Ferment Filtrate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Quaternium-95, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, PEG-8, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Biotin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
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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.
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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimonenePanthenol 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 ParfumWater. 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