What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate
Sodium C16 Olefin Sulfonate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Colloidal Silver
AntimicrobialMalachite Extract
Antioxidant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Pumice
Abrasive
Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-80
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingDidecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventParfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium C16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Colloidal Silver, Malachite Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sorbitol, Zinc PCA, Pumice, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-80, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Methylpropanediol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Magnesium Nitrate
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Magnesium Chloride
Tetrasodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Mipa, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Magnesium Nitrate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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-10Chances 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 ChlorideSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
