What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Buteth-3
SolventLauryl Alcohol
EmollientPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Amodimethicone
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingTributyl Citrate
SolventCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Phenethyl Benzoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Disodium EDTA, Buteth-3, Lauryl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Amodimethicone, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, C11-15 Pareth-7, Glyceryl Stearate, Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Linalool, Geraniol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Tributyl Citrate, CI 19140, CI 14700, CI 61570
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningTrichilia Emetica Seed Butter
EmollientAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Dimethicone Pg-Diethylmonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-10
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSilicone Quaternium-20
Skin ConditioningSodium Sulfate
Lauric Acid
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Bis-PCA Dimethicone
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialQuaternium-80
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventMaleic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTartaric Acid
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Laureth-3, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Panthenol, Cocamide Mea, Glycol Distearate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter, Aspergillus Ferment, Arginine, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Propanediol, Parfum, Polyquaternium-7, Dimethicone Pg-Diethylmonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Silicone Quaternium-20, Sodium Sulfate, Lauric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Amodimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Bis-PCA Dimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-80, Sarcosine, Trideceth-12, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Maleic Acid, Citric Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Benzyl Alcohol, Tartaric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineWe don't have a description for Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate yet.
This ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateLinalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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 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-10Polyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Sodium 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 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.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is an organic salt with a naturally sweet odor. It is an alternative to traditional sulfates and is commonly found in "sulfate-free" products.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is used to increase the volume of foam, emulsify ingredients, and as a cleansing agent.
As a cleansing agent, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate helps reduce the surface tension of dirt, oil, and other pollutants so they can be rinsed away easily.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review found this ingredient to irritate the eyes and skin in concentrations of 0.18% and 0.7%.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfoacetateWe don't have a description for Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate yet.
We don't have a description for Trideceth-12 yet.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water