What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Stearate
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-10
Propanediol
SolventQuaternium-80
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-73
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentSorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlucosamine Hcl
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Stearate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Cocamide Mipa, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-10, Propanediol, Quaternium-80, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Menthol, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Polyquaternium-73, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Isethionate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cellulose, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Cellulose Gum, Glucosamine Hcl, Biotin, Caffeine, Decyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Laurate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lactic Acid, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingParfum
MaskingCoco-Betaine
CleansingMoroccan Lava Clay
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantSerine
MaskingThreonine
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Polyester-37
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Quaternium-80
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycol Stearate
EmollientSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingDidecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
SolventPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Parfum, Coco-Betaine, Moroccan Lava Clay, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Squalane, Soy Amino Acids, Wheat Amino Acids, Glycerin, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Serine, Threonine, Arginine Hcl, Glycine, Alanine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Phytate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, PEG-150 Distearate, Diheptyl Succinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyester-37, Polyquaternium-7, Quaternium-80, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, C9-12 Alkane, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 17200, CI 19140, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycol Stearate comes from stearic acid and ethylene glycol.
It is a creamy wax used to stabilize ingredients as an emulsifier. Glycol stearate also contains emollient properties. Emollients sit on top of the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol StearateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWe don't have a description for Quaternium-80 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 IsethionateWater. 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