What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Phenoxy PEG-4 Laurate/Palmitate
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Mannitol
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Acetum
Sodium Pg-Sulfonate
HumectantParfum
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingThymol
AntimicrobialWater, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Phenoxy PEG-4 Laurate/Palmitate, Piroctone Olamine, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Glycerin, Panthenol, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ceramide NP, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Capryloyl Glycine, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Acetum, Sodium Pg-Sulfonate, Parfum, Sodium Gluconate, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Thymol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Parfum
Masking
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingNiacin
SmoothingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Menthol
Masking
Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
PEG-45m
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Acrylates Copolymer, Parfum, Piroctone Olamine, Salicylic Acid, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Panthenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Niacin, Biotin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Menthol, Milk Protein, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycol Stearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, PEG-45m, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Piroctone Olamine targets Malassezia, the fungus responsible for dandruff, which is why you'll find it in many anti-dandruff shampoos.
It's also water-soluble, so it blends easily into these formulas.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWe don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
