What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingParfum
MaskingLauric Acid
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Isethionate
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCoconut Acid
CleansingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPPG-9
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Parfum, Lauric Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Potassium Sorbate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Coconut Acid, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, PPG-9, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Methyl Isethionate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLauric Acid
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Sulfate
C12-18 Fatty Acids Methyl Esters
PerfumingZinc Laurate
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Laurate
CleansingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingMenthol
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Soy Amino Acids, Wheat Amino Acids, Serine, Threonine, Arginine Hcl, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Citric Acid, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauric Acid, Coconut Acid, Sodium Sulfate, C12-18 Fatty Acids Methyl Esters, Zinc Laurate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Laurate, Linalool, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Propylene Glycol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Menthol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineCoconut Acid isn't fungal acne safe.
Lauric Acid is a fatty acid or lipid. About half of fatty acids in coconut oil is lauric acid.
This ingredient helps hydrate and sooth skin. As a humectant, it helps trap moisture. It also aids in cleaning and enhancing the texture of products.
Lauric acid may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne, safe.
Learn more about Lauric AcidLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water