What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-7
Disodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGluconamido Amodimethicone
Trideceth-8
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Extract
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Lactic Acid
BufferingPEG-8
HumectantPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Decyl Glucoside, Gluconamido Amodimethicone, Trideceth-8, Glycol Stearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Glycerin, Dimethiconol, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium PCA, Polyquaternium-10, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Gluconate, Arginine, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Caffeine, Panax Ginseng Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Lactic Acid, PEG-8, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Oligopeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
We don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride yet.
Panthenol 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyquaternium-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 BenzoateSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateWater. 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