What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingCocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentasodium Pentetate
ChelatingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Mentha Arvensis Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantAcorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Water, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Cocamide Mea, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Panthenol, Pentasodium Pentetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Arvensis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Oil, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Foam Boosting
Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Gamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-33
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Acetyl Cysteine
Antioxidant
Prunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientKeratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen
Moisturising
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Isomalt
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Cleansing
Glyoxylic Acid
BufferingCetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
Emollient
Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Ceramide Ag
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Lauraminopropionate
CleansingSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Argan Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Disodium C12-14 Pareth-2 Sulfosuccinate
CleansingMyristamine Oxide
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Quaternium-18
SurfactantBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantGold
Cosmetic ColorantSilver
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Propanediol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Gamma-Docosalactone, Quaternium-33, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Cysteine, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Collagen, Ceramide AP, Isomalt, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glyoxylic Acid, Cetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Ceramide Ng, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Lauraminopropionate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Cholesterol, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Argan Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Disodium C12-14 Pareth-2 Sulfosuccinate, Myristamine Oxide, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Lecithin, Quaternium-18, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Caramel, Gold, Silver
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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.
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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
