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
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMenthol
MaskingParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantErythritol
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningPropoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
Citric Acid
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAcetic Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativePolyquaternium-7
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPPG-33-Buteth-45
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetate
BufferingInula Crithmoide Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthol, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Erythritol, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Acetic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Butylene Glycol, Trideceth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-33-Buteth-45, Methyl Gluceth-10, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Mentha Piperita Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, C11-15 Pareth-7, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Acetate, Inula Crithmoide Flower/Leaf Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineThis 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Quinoa yet.
Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
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 Isopropyl AlcoholThis essential oil is steam-distilled from peppermint leaves, also known as peppermint oil. It's mainly used for scent in skincare but also provides that signature "cooling" sensation.
Peppermint oil is a "feels amazing" ingredient until it doesn't.
At higher doses or for those with sensitive skin, methol-type cooling can quickly turn into burning/irritation. It can also trigger irritant dermatitis or even allergic contact dermatitis. In a large patch-test dataset, peppermint oil had a low but positive rate for this.
In cosmetics, Cosmetic Safety Reviews (CIR) concludes that peppermint oil is safe to use when formulated to be non-sensitizing with some restrictions; for instance, pulegone, a naturally occurring component of peppermint oil, should not exceed 1%.
Since peppermint oil contains fragrance allergens such as limonene, linalool, and menthol, it can be sensitizing for those with rosacea, eczema, a broken skin barrier, or just sensitive skin in general.
In Japan, this ingredient is known as Hakka Yu.
Learn more about Mentha Piperita OilPanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyquaternium-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.
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 SorbateWe don't have a description for Sodium Acetate yet.
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 BenzoateSodium 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 SarcosinateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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