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
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Glycerin
HumectantAmodimethicone
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventPolyquaternium-10
Taurine
BufferingAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingTetrasodium EDTA
Citronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantBiotin
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 ConditioningCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantPolyquaternium-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, Polysorbate 20, Caffeine, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Dimethyl Sulfone, Polyquaternium-10, Taurine, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, CI 15985, 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, CI 14700, 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 ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingCopper Tripeptide-34
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCoconut Acid
CleansingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Isethionate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventLindera Strychnifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantGlycine
BufferingLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Copper Tripeptide-34, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Biotin, Coconut Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Isethionate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caffeine, Propanediol, Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zinc Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCitric 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.
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 GlycerinGinseng root is a well-loved ingredient in Asian skincare for good reason. It hydrates the skin, soothes irritation, and helps even out skin tone.
In traditional East Asian medicine, ginseng has been used for centuries both as food and as a healing remedy, and modern research continues to confirm its skin benefits.
One of the standout features of ginseng is its ability to improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin, bringing a fresh supply of nutrients to support overall skin health. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to protect your skin against damage from UV exposure, pollution, and daily stress.
Additionally, studies suggest that ginseng may help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin production.
There are different types of ginseng used in skincare, and while they all share core benefits, their potency can vary.
Most products use fresh or white ginseng because it’s more affordable. However, red ginseng, produced by steaming the root, contains higher levels of ginsenosides, which are compounds with proven anti-aging effects. These ginsenosides help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.
Note: All forms of ginseng are listed simply as “Panax ginseng” in ingredient lists. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about which type of ginseng is used in their ingredients.
For general antioxidant benefits, any ginseng extract will do, but for wrinkle care or firmer skin, red or fermented ginseng is often more effective.
In short, ginseng is a powerhouse ingredient that supports hydration, radiance, and resilience.
Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root ExtractParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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