What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Betaine
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Castoryl Maleate
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentMannitol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
CI 51319
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Betaine, Polyquaternium-7, Castoryl Maleate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc PCA, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, CI 51319, CI 77891, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalyl Acetate, Geranyl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa
Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Amorphophallus Konjac Root
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Cocamide Mea, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryza Sativa, Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Cera, Hydrolyzed Amorphophallus Konjac Root, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Sodium Hydroxide, 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.
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 CopolymerBetaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum 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.
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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 Water
