What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveCharcoal
AbrasiveMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-39
Dimethyl Glutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningIsostearamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Sorbitol
HumectantMenthol
MaskingPolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Silica
AbrasiveAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide DEA, Dipropylene Glycol, Kaolin, Charcoal, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Lauric Acid, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-39, Dimethyl Glutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol Crosspolymer, Isostearamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-10, Sorbitol, Menthol, Polyquaternium-47, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingParfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Glycinate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingRice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
CleansingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Parfum, Glycerin, Cocamide Mipa, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates Copolymer, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Glycinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-150 Distearate, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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-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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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