What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Coco-Sulfate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingParfum
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Parfum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Biotin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Polyquaternium-7, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingParfum
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Myristyl Serinate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycol Cetearate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Phosphate
BufferingPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Parfum, Propanediol, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Pyridoxine Hcl, Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate, Copper Gluconate, Glycol Cetearate, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PEG-8, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-47, Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Trisodium Phosphate, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Biotin, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCitric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineCocos Nucifera Oil is obtained from the kernels of the coconut fruit. In other words, this is coconut oil.
Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids with lauric acid making up the majority of these. It also contains linoleic acid. Due to this high fatty acid content, coconut oil helps trap moisture and soften skin.
Despite being antibacterial, coconut oil may not be great for acne-prone skin. It is comedogenic and may clog pores. This ingredient may not be safe for malassezia or fungal acne.
Note: Coconut Oil should not replace your sunscreen for UV protection. Studies show it only blocks about 20% of UV.
This oil is non-volatile and has a light scent.
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 Cocos Nucifera OilGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum.
It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.
Lauryl 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 GlucosidePanthenol 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.
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a gentle cleanser and surfactant. It is the sodium salt of the Cocoyl Glutamic Acid and comes from coconut oil. As a surfactant, it helps lift dirt and oil to be washed away.
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate also has an emolliating effect and can help leave the skin feeling soft.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Tocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water