What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
PPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPentasodium Pentetate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingArginine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingCystine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningOrnithine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingTaurine
BufferingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingValine
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingMenthol
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningMenadione
MaskingPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantRetinol
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide Mea, Polyquaternium-10, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Parfum, Pentasodium Pentetate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aspartic Acid, Arginine, Alanine, Asparagine, Cystine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Glutamine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Ornithine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Taurine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Valine, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Menthol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Biotin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Folic Acid, Menadione, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Retinol, Thiamine Hcl, Bioflavonoids, Cyanocobalamin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Boreale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientGleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingAcorus Calamus Rhizome Water
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-10
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantMenthol
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Centella Asiatica/Gleditsia Sinensis Thorn/Houttuynia Cordata Extract/Phellodendron Amurense Bark/Polygonum Cuspidatum Root/Prunella Vulgaris/Torilis Japonica Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLauramine Oxide
CleansingOak Vinegar
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Chrysanthemum Boreale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone, Gleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Acorus Calamus Rhizome Water, Parfum, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Cocamide Mea, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Carbomer, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Triethanolamine, PEG-10, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica/Gleditsia Sinensis Thorn/Houttuynia Cordata Extract/Phellodendron Amurense Bark/Polygonum Cuspidatum Root/Prunella Vulgaris/Torilis Japonica Extract Ferment Filtrate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Lauramine Oxide, Oak Vinegar, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol
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 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 made by combining the fatty acids from coconut oil with monoethanolamine. It is an emulsifier that helps boost foam, thicken texture, and help keep ingredients together in a formula.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPanthenol 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 ParfumChances 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