What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantElaeis Guineensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seedcake Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantPanthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride
Betaine
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingDisodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingGlycol Distearate
EmollientInulin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingC11-15 Pareth-7
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seedcake Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Betaine, Citronellol, Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Geraniol, Glycol Distearate, Inulin, Laureth-4, Linalool, Methyl Gluceth-10, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-47, Potassium Sorbate, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Trideceth-6, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, C11-15 Pareth-7, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Propanediol Dicaprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Laurate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
Foam BoostingJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientYucca Schidigera Stem Extract
CleansingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantArginine
MaskingAcacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantPantolactone
HumectantCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Laurate, Sodium Chloride, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pyridoxine, Panthenol, Phospholipids, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyquaternium-10, Pentylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Yucca Schidigera Stem Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Arginine, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Pantolactone, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Potassium 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 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 ChlorideSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a gentle, sulfate-free cleansing agent. It's basically a mild "soap" molecule derived from coconut that makes a soft, cream foam and is very soluble in water.
Typical concentration use ranges from ~0.6-10% in rinse off products and only trace amounts (~0.009%) in leave on products.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has assessed it and concluded it to be safe as used at these concentrations when formulated to be non-irritating.
Allergy and sensitization risk is low and often when someone reacts to a cleanser it's due to the fragrance or preservatives rather than this ingredient itself.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl Methyl IsethionateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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