What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Parfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCocamide Methyl Mea
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide Mea, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-150 Distearate, Polyquaternium-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Linalool, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingAsparagus Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Extract
Skin ProtectingFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMenthol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPentasodium Pentetate
Linalool
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Tropolone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-150 Distearate, Royal Jelly Extract, Amber Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Asparagus Officinalis Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Menthol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Trehalose, Pentasodium Pentetate, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-10, Tropolone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal
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
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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.
Linalool 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 ParfumPeg-150 Distearate is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It is created from stearic acid.
As an emulsifier, peg-150 distearate helps other ingredients dissolve. This helps prevent ingredient separation.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 DistearatePolyquaternium-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 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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