What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract
AntimicrobialGleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingVitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Propylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-10
HumectantMenthol
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Seed Extract
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCrinum Asiaticum Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOak Vinegar
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Chrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract, Gleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Dimethicone, Cocamide Mipa, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Parfum, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Decylene Glycol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol, PEG-10, Menthol, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Crinum Asiaticum Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oak Vinegar, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsostearyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Betaine
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingFumaric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Dimethicone, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Carbomer, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Limonene, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Fumaric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis 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 ChloridePanthenol 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 ParfumSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateSodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant, cleansing agent, and foaming agent. You'll find it in a wide range of products from shampoos to face cleansers.
It:
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has assessed it in 1983, 2002, and 2005 and found it to be safe in formulations at low concentrations.
SLS is a well-documented skin irritant at higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure. It's actually the gold standard positive control used in dermatological patch testing, meaning doctors use it because they know it will cause a reaction in people.
In one large study of 43,000 patiences tested with 0.25% SLS, about 22% showed some level of reactivity. It increases transepidermal water loss that disrupts your outermost layer of skin.
Face cleansers often pair this ingredient with mild co-surfactants like Cocamidopropyl Betaine to buffer its harshness.
Just so you know, SLS does not trigger true allergic contact dermatitis. This just means it can irritate your skin but doesn't cause your immune system to develop a lasting allergy to it.
Despite internet rumors, SLS is not considered a carcinogen by any major regulatory body.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateWater. 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