What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Lactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyquaternium-7
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Acetate
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Polyquaternium-10, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Piroctone Olamine, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyquaternium-7, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Benzoic Acid, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Mentha Piperita Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sodium Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-4 Rapeseedamide
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
EmollientSteareth-4
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantAmodimethicone
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningLaureth-9
EmulsifyingOctadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-11
Tocopherol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract
MaskingPassiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentRosa Canina Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-4 Rapeseedamide, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Steareth-4, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Parfum, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Citric Acid, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polysorbate 20, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Panthenol, Linalool, Limonene, C11-15 Pareth-7, Trideceth-12, Benzoic Acid, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Laureth-9, Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyquaternium-11, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Rosa Canina Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is an organic acid that shows up in cosmetics as a preservative. It helps keep a product from spoiling by holding back the growth of yeast, mold, and some bacteria.
This ingredient also functions as a fragrance ingredient that helps mask the unpleasant scent of other ingredients.
The way it works is worth understanding; benzoic acid works when the formula is acidic. It is able to sneak into a microbe's cell and mess up how it functions to stop it from growing in an acidic product.
However, the acid switches to an inactive form and stops working if a product isn't acidic enough (above ~5 pH). This is why you'll often see it in low pH products or teamed up with other preservatives to cover the gap.
Safety wise, it's one of the better studied preservatives out there.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
A large international review found this ingredient had no effects on the human body and had low irritation potential.
Just so you know, real world use is usually much lower than the 5% ceiling (usually 1% of less).
The EU caps it at 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral care, and 0.5% in leave-on products.
One thing worth mentioning (it's nothing to worry about): some people get a little stinging or flushing where they apply it. This isn't a true allergy; it's a temporary and harmless reaction. This is the same kind of mild tingle you might notice from sorbic acid.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidBenzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCocamidopropyl 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 Cocamidopropylamine Oxide 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 (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate is an emulsifier, thickener, and mild conditioner.
It's made by esterifying and pentaerythritol with stearic acid, and then attaching 150 units of ethylene oxide to make it water-friendly.
This structure lets it bridge oil and water to prevent ingredients from separating and keep formulas stable. It is also the reason it gives cosmetics a creamy feel without the greasiness.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be well-tolerated. Human repeated patch testing on the undiluted version has come back negative for irritation and sensitization. On top of that, its large molecule size makes skin penetration unlikely.
Usage concentration ranges from 5% in rinse-off to 1.8% in leave-on formulas.
Because this ingredient is made from stearic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate.
Learn more about PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl TetrastearatePEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is a synthetic, water-soluble surfactant and emulsifier.
It's a "superfatting" agent that helps replenish some of your skin's oils after they're stripped away by other surfactants.
This is why "gentle" and "moisturizing" cleansers feel less stripping than basic ones.
Typical concentrations range from 1-10% and it has a solid safety record. The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe at concentrations up to 10% in leave-on products.
Dermal application tests at 50% also did not produce irritation in two studies.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe and in vitro studies have shown Malassezia can metabolize it.
Learn more about PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateChances 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium 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 SarcosinateSodium 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 SulfoacetateWater. 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