What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingGamma-Nonalactone
MaskingVanillin
MaskingMaltol
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantCoconut Acid
CleansingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Triethyl Citrate, Gamma-Nonalactone, Vanillin, Maltol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Coconut Acid, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingVanillin
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Vanillin, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Extract, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Limonene
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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum.
It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilLinalool 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 LinaloolSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Vanillin is the main compound of the vanilla bean. It is naturally occuring but can also be artificially created.
This ingredient exhibits antioxidant properties but is also a known skin-irritant.
Vanillism is the term of contact-dermatitis associated with the vanilla plant. The sap of the vanilla plant triggers skin irritation, swelling, and redness.
Learn more about VanillinWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water