What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPhenoxy PEG-4 Laurate/Palmitate
Piroctone Olamine
PreservativeMannitol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAcetum
Sodium Pg-Sulfonate
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium 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 ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventPEG-15 Cocopolyamine
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingMannitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantRhamnose
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingQuaternium-80
Propylene Glycol
HumectantVp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingWater, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Methylpropanediol, PEG-15 Cocopolyamine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Quaternium-80, Propylene Glycol, Vp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolPanthenol 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.
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 SorbateChances 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol