What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLamium Album Extract
AstringentNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Pinus Sylvestris Bud Extract
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingTropaeolum Majus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
Masking
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPhytic Acid
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Saccharide Isomerate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Lamium Album Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Bud Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Phytic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Laureth-4, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid
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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
