What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Coco-Betaine
CleansingOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-22
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, PEG-8, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Coco-Betaine, Orchid Extract, Polyquaternium-22, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Benzoate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantCoco-Betaine
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingCoconut Acid
CleansingTetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingTropaeolum Majus Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sorbitol, Coco-Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Orchid Extract, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-3 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Menthoxypropanediol, Coconut Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hyaluronic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Tropaeolum Majus Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin
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, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCoco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLauric Acid is a saturated fatty acid naturally found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and even breast milk.
In cosmetics, it is an:
Lab studies have found that lauric acid is surprisingly good at killing acne-causing bacteria. However, these tests were done on bacteria in a petri dish and not on real skin, so we can't say for certain it works the same in a formulation on a real face.
The comedogenic rating of 4 comes from the 1972 rabbit ear model using undiluted ingredients. Comedogenicity is highly individual and one comedogenic ingredient cannot predict how a formula will behave on skin.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe and research has confirmed Malassezia can use it as a food source.
Learn more about Lauric AcidWe don't have a description for Orchid Extract yet.
Parfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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