What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Boreale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientGleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingAcorus Calamus Rhizome Water
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-10
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantMenthol
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Centella Asiatica/Gleditsia Sinensis Thorn/Houttuynia Cordata Extract/Phellodendron Amurense Bark/Polygonum Cuspidatum Root/Prunella Vulgaris/Torilis Japonica Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLauramine Oxide
CleansingOak Vinegar
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Chrysanthemum Boreale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone, Gleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Acorus Calamus Rhizome Water, Parfum, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Cocamide Mea, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Carbomer, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Triethanolamine, PEG-10, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica/Gleditsia Sinensis Thorn/Houttuynia Cordata Extract/Phellodendron Amurense Bark/Polygonum Cuspidatum Root/Prunella Vulgaris/Torilis Japonica Extract Ferment Filtrate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Lauramine Oxide, Oak Vinegar, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingMyristyl Betaine
CleansingPPG-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterHoney
HumectantArginine
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientShea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingDiethyl Sebacate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHoney Extract
HumectantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingHydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantKeratin
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningWater, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Myristyl Betaine, PPG-7, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-47, Menthol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Honey, Arginine, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Diethyl Sebacate, Butylene Glycol, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Honey Extract, CI 19140, Coco-Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Royal Jelly Extract, CI 17200, Keratin, Propolis Extract, Gamma-Docosalactone
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 GlycolCitric 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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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 PhenoxyethanolSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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