What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingParfum
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-10
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMenthol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citronellol
Perfuming
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningSasa Quelpaertensis Extract
Skin ConditioningEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Potato Protein
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingAcorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Citrus Junos Seed Oil
Emollient
Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Natto Gum
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningSapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Allium Sativum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Lauryl Betaine, Parfum, Decyl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-10, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Menthol, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citronellol, Adenosine, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Potato Protein, Arginine, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Biotin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Citrus Junos Seed Oil, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Natto Gum, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Allium Sativum Bulb Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhyllostachys Pubescens Meristem Cell Lysate
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Keratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Prunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Lupinus Albus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Argan Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
Emulsifying
Isomalt
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol Laurate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Cocamide
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberGlycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Dipropylene Glycol, Phyllostachys Pubescens Meristem Cell Lysate, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Glutamic Acid, Sodium PCA, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Argan Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Isomalt, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol Laurate, Xanthan Gum, PPG-2 Cocamide, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 17200, Limonene, Linalool
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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the āgoodā alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLauryl Betaine is a cleansing ingredient. You'll most likely see it in face washes, body washes, and shampoos. It's a type of surfactant that helps water mix with oil so dirt, sweat, and sunscreen can rinse off easily.
Chemically, lauryl betaine is an amphoteric surfactant so it carries both a positive and negative charge. This helps it create a creamy foam while being less harsh than stronger detergent-type cleansers.
According to CIR, this ingredient is generally considered safe when used in cosmetics. However, like all surfactants, it can be irritating when used in high amounts of in formulas that aren't well balanced.
Learn more about Lauryl BetaineLimonene 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 LinaloolParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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.
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 ChlorideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
