What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Vp/Va Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyitaconate
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Farnesene
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCoconut Acid
CleansingGlycine
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Polyitaconate, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Squalane, Hydrogenated Farnesene, Caffeine, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Panthenol, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein, Biotin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Levulinate, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Coconut Acid, Glycine, Sodium Benzoate, Pvp, Citric Acid, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPanthenol 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 ChlorideWater. 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