What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Olivamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyquaternium-10
Oleyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-67
Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Olivamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyquaternium-10, Oleyl Alcohol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-67, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Methyl Isethionate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLauric Acid
CleansingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyquaternium-2
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Laurate
CleansingAmodimethicone
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-15
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantLaureth-9
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Panthenol, Parfum, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lauric Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Coco-Glucoside, Phenethyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Oleate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Glycol Distearate, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyquaternium-2, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Laurate, Amodimethicone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, C11-15 Pareth-15, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Laureth-9, Citronellol, Geraniol, Trideceth-12, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCitric 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 AcidCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Oleate is the ester of glycerin and oleic acid. This ingredient is mainly an emollient and emulsifier.
Emollients soften and hydrate the skin by creating a thin film on top to trap in moisture. As an emulsifier, glyceryl oleate helps stabilize formulations by preventing ingredients such as oil and water from separating. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps helps thicken water-in-oil formulations, shower gels, and hair shampoos.
In some products, this ingredient may be used as a fragrance / perfuming ingredient. The scent of this ingredient is described to be "waxy".
Glyceryl oleate is created from oils rich in oleic acid, such as peanut oil and olive oil.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Glyceryl OleateParfum 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 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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