What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-68
Polyquaternium-7
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingMagnesium Nitrate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingMagnesium Chloride
Parfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Menthol, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-68, Polyquaternium-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-150 Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Citric Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantParfum
MaskingPPG-7
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Menthol
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSqualane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract
AntimicrobialSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingKeratin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantWater, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Cocamide Mea, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Parfum, PPG-7, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-47, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Menthol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Squalane, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Keratin, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Soluble Collagen
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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.
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 GlycerinMenthol 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is an essential oil also known as rosemary essential oil. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning agent and also acts as a natural fragrance that gives products a fresh/herby smell.
The oil is a mix of over 100 volatile compounds with 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and verbenone usually leading the pack.
Lab studies credit this oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Some research even show rosemary compounds calming acne-related inflammation.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Since this is a fragrant essential oil, the main concern is for fragrance-sensitive folks.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilSodium 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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWater. 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