What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingDi-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
EmollientCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-70
Amodimethicone
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventPolyquaternium-10
Taurine
BufferingAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Alcohol Denat. Sd Alcohol 40
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingPEG-35 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingInositol
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Arginine
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientAcetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingOrnithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitrulline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Hydrolyzed Proanthocyanidin
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-150 Distearate, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Cocamide Mea, Glycol Distearate, Caffeine, Polysorbate 20, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-70, Amodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Dimethyl Sulfone, Polyquaternium-10, Taurine, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Alcohol Denat. Sd Alcohol 40, Tocopherol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Linoleic Acid, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Inositol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Polyquaternium-11, Arginine, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Niacinamide, Ornithine Hcl, Zinc Gluconate, Citrulline, Glucosamine Hcl, Hydrolyzed Proanthocyanidin, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSpirulina Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidium Pulchrum Protein
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Salicina Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Methysticum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Symbiosome Extract
AntioxidantOnsen-Sui
Salicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Menthol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSteareth-30
CleansingSodium Gluconate
ChelatingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyquaternium-67
Sodium Acetate
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingMethylpropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamide Mipa, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Spirulina Amino Acids, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Gelidium Pulchrum Protein, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit/Leaf Extract, Piper Methysticum Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Symbiosome Extract, Onsen-Sui, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Menthol, Caprylyl Glycol, Steareth-30, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polyquaternium-67, Sodium Acetate, Coconut Acid, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sodium Isethionate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
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 AcidCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a skin repairing ingredient said to boost collagen, improve firmness, and support skin regeneration.
It is a complex made up of a naturally occurring peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) and copper, an essential trace element.
While studying wound healing, researchers noticed GHK-Cu stimulated hair follicle enlargement and growth by keeping hair in its active growth phase longer. This has made it a promising ingredient for hair regrowth treatments.
Some people have reported increased facial hair. While GHK-Cu can make your hair follicles bigger, it usually doesn’t turn soft, barely-visible facial hairs into thick, dark ones.
Anecdotal reports suggest that overusing copper peptides might lead to premature aging due to excess free copper or enzyme imbalances. This claim isn’t backed by large-scale studies.
Unfortunately, there are limited human studies for this ingredient. While early results are promising, many studies are either small, in-vitro, or not rigorously controlled.
For example, there is a 1998 study that explored the effects of copper tripeptide, vitamin C, tretinoin, and melatonin on skin repair and collagen synthesis.
After one month, increased procollagen production was seen in 7 out of 10 participants using copper tripeptide (more than those using vitamin C, melatonin, or tretinoin.
While the study was exploratory, it offers early evidence that copper tripeptide may support collagen production. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed to confirm its potential and understand individual responses.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Copper Tripeptide-1This ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideParfum 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 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