What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Methyl Isethionate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLauric Acid
Cleansing
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPhenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyquaternium-2
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Laurate
CleansingAmodimethicone
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-15
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Laureth-8
EmulsifyingCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Trideceth-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-7 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-8, Citronellol, Geraniol, Trideceth-12, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Coco-Betaine
CleansingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polyquaternium-30
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Arginine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Serine
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningSafflower Glucoside
Geraniol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycol Distearate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Alcohol Denat., Polyquaternium-30, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Hexyl Cinnamal, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Serine, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Safflower Glucoside, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate
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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycol 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 DistearateParfum 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 HydroxideWater. 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
