What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters
Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPotassium Dimethicone PEG-7 Panthenyl Phosphate
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Laurate
CleansingSodium Sarcosinate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCeteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingDicocoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-7
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Panthenol, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Dimethicone PEG-7 Panthenyl Phosphate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Glucoside, Phenethyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Laurate, Sodium Sarcosinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Dicocoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, CI 17200, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCetyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientSapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientPolyquaternium-22
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Glyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cetyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Cocos Nucifera Water, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Phospholipids, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-22, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Linalool, Citric Acid
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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateThis 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 ChlorideParfum 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 SorbateWe don't have a description for Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract 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 BenzoateSodium 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