What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Styrene
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPrunus Salicina Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaffeic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingZinc Pyrithione
AntiseborrhoeicSalicylic Acid
MaskingPlumbago Zeylanica Flower/Root Extract
AntioxidantDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingGold
Cosmetic ColorantPolyquaternium-7
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG-45 Palm Kernel Glycerides
EmulsifyingC12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialMenthol
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingCamellia Seed Oil
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCarum Carvi Seed Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Styrene, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Biotin, Ceramide NP, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Adenosine, Caffeic Acid, Niacinamide, Zinc Pyrithione, Salicylic Acid, Plumbago Zeylanica Flower/Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Gold, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Alcohol Denat., PEG-45 Palm Kernel Glycerides, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Polyquaternium-10, Cetrimonium Chloride, Menthol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Trihydroxystearin, Disodium EDTA, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc Chloride, Citric Acid, Camellia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Carum Carvi Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingPPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentasodium Pentetate
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventSilk Amino Acids
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningCystine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingTryptophan
MaskingThreonine
Arginine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantAsparagine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Phenoxyethanol, Pentasodium Pentetate, Sodium Carbonate, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Silk Amino Acids, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Leucine, Taurine, Isoleucine, Valine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Glutamine, Cystine, Methionine, Tyrosine, Lysine, Alanine, Phenylalanine, Serine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Arginine, Histidine, Asparagine, Proline
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. Argan Oil has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Studies have shown argan oil can help fight again radical damage from the sun. This makes it effective at preventing hyperpigmentation.
Large amounts of vitamin E found in argan oil helps the skin retain water. Argan oil also contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also a good source of lipids.
Another benefit of argan oil is skin-soothing. It can help reduce inflammation-related skin symptoms.
Argan Oil is effective at regulating sebum production in pores. This can make it effective at treating hormonal acne.
Traditionally, argan oil was used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, argan oil contains fatty acids that may make it not fungal-acne safe.
Argan Trees are native to Morocco.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
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 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 BetaineEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Parfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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-10Sodium 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 ChlorideWater. 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