What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSilica
AbrasivePropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingLactose
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Menthol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOctoxynol-12
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Lauryl Glucoside, Silica, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Coco-Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Lactose, Cellulose, Panthenol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Allantoin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Menthol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Octoxynol-12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, CI 77891, Sodium Hyaluronate, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77491, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningOrchis Mascula Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Orchis Mascula Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Benzyl Salicylate, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCoco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinLauryl Glucoside sugar- and lipid-based cleansing agent. It is created from glucose and lauryl alcohol.
This ingredient is a surfactant, making it easier to rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants away.
A British study found lauryl glucoside to cause skin sensitivity for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Other names for this ingredient include "Lauryl Polyglucose", "Lauryl glycoside", and "D-Glucopyranoside".
Learn more about Lauryl GlucosideParfum 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolRosa Damascena Flower Oil is an essential oil made from the Damask Rose. It is often used as a fragrance in cosmetics.
Rose Oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties due to its terpene, glycoside, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and Vitamin C content.
Other major parts of Rose Oil include citronellol and geraniol. Both of these are known EU allergens and cause contact-allergies.
The downsides of this ingredient outweight the positives.
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower OilThis ingredient is also known as the Gallic Rose or French Rose.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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