What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingParfum
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingMel
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPropolis Cera
AntiseborrhoeicVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantGlycol Distearate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Coumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Parfum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Chloride, Mel, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Propolis Cera, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Bisabolol, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Caramel, Glycol Distearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, CI 15510
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPCA Glyceryl Oleate
EmollientCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, PCA Glyceryl Oleate, Cocamide Mipa, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 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 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPotassium 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 IsethionateWater. 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