What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Surfactant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Cinnamate
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coumarin
Perfuming
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingLimonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Sodium Acetate
BufferingCitronellol
Perfuming
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Benzoate, Carbomer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Salicylic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Citric Acid, Coumarin, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Limonene, Geraniol, Sodium Acetate, Citronellol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodipropionate
CleansingBetaine
Humectant
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicMelatonin
Antioxidant
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Olivate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Menthol
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide Mipa, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Phytosterols, Inositol, Ceramide NP, Copper Tripeptide-1, Biotin, Melatonin, Sodium Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Olivate, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyquaternium-10, Menthol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
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 AcidThis ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPolyquaternium-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-10Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
