What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-10
Propanediol
Solvent
Quaternium-80
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-73
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingSodium Isethionate
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose
Absorbent
Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlucosamine Hcl
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, 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
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Wheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientPolyquaternium-73
Polyquaternium-10
Silicone Quaternium-18
Emollient
Quaternium-80
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Cleansing
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Didecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
ChelatingC9-12 Alkane
SolventC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Parfum, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Squalane, Wheat Amino Acids, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydroxyproline, Sodium PCA, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diheptyl Succinate, Polyquaternium-73, Polyquaternium-10, Silicone Quaternium-18, Quaternium-80, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, PEG-150 Distearate, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Acrylates Copolymer, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, C9-12 Alkane, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Trideceth-12, Trideceth-6, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 17200, CI 19140, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
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 the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimonenePolyquaternium-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-10We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-73 yet.
Propanediol 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
