What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Disteareth-75 Ipdi
Sunflower Seed Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingPrunus Insititia Seed Oil
EmollientGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Isethionate
CleansingPolyquaternium-113
Parfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Seed Protein
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCalcium Gluconate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Phytic Acid
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Lauryl Glucoside, Coconut Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Disteareth-75 Ipdi, Sunflower Seed Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Prunus Insititia Seed Oil, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Sodium Isethionate, Polyquaternium-113, Parfum, Panthenol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Calcium Gluconate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Phytate, Phytic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-7
Polyester-11
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamide Mipa, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Polyester-11, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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.
Potassium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 hasnāt 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