What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePiroctone Olamine
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTea-Sulfate
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantLaureth-23
CleansingPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLaureth-4
EmulsifyingPEG-4
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dimethiconol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, Parfum, Glycol Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Piroctone Olamine, Carbomer, Sodium Salicylate, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, Cocamide Mea, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tea-Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide, Laureth-23, Poloxamer 407, Sodium Benzoate, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Laureth-4, PEG-4, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Panthenol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientCocamide Methyl Mea
Parfum
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLauric Acid
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningDi-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Salicylate
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLaureth-23
CleansingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantAmodimethicone
Xylitol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantHoney
HumectantLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcetic Acid
BufferingSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingPolygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Dimethicone, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Lauric Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Laureth-23, Laureth-3, Limonene, Malt Extract, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Alcohol Denat., Glycolipids, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Amodimethicone, Xylitol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Glucose, Honey, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetic Acid, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Trideceth-10, Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Mea yet.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis ingredient is derived from guar gum.
It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLaureth-23 is created by reacting ethylene oxide with Lauryl Alcohol.
It is a cleansing ingredient. This means it helps lift oils and dirt so they may be rinsed away with water.
The 23 refers to the number of repeating ethylene oxides in the molecule.
Learn more about Laureth-23Parfum 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.
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 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 ChlorideSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateThis ingredient is the sodium salt of salicylic acid, the famous anti-acne ingredient.
Officially, this ingredient is used as a preservative. However, some studies found Sodium Salicylate to have exfoliating properties. Further studies are needed.
Water. 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