What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-22
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPotassium Benzoate
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBHA
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Parfum, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium PCA, PEG-150 Distearate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-22, Chlorphenesin, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Benzoic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Potassium Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, BHA, Citronellol, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventStearamine Oxide
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPolyquaternium-113
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolysilicone-15
UV FilterShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrated Silica
AbrasiveLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Phosphate
BufferingCystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingPinene
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearamine Oxide, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Polyquaternium-113, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Quaternium-95, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Glycerin, Polysilicone-15, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Citric Acid, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrated Silica, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phosphate, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexamethylindanopyran, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Pinene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Linalyl Acetate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
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 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 GlycerinHexyl 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 CinnamalParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPotassium 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 SorbateWater. 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