What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Taurate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingTea-Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingMyristyl Betaine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantHoney
HumectantArginine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientShea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantGluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPPG-7
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingHoney Extract
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingKeratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMagnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Chloride
Water, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Taurate, Glycerin, Cocamide DEA, Tea-Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, Myristyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-47, Menthol, Caramel, Honey, Arginine, Panthenol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Butylene Glycol, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, PPG-7, Acacia Senegal Gum, Honey Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Royal Jelly Extract, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Propolis Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingPolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMenthyl Lactate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeNiacinamide
SmoothingAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Lactic Acid, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Polyquaternium-47, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Menthol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Niacinamide, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Yeast Extract, Methylisothiazolinone, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Potassium Sorbate, Zinc Gluconate, Caffeine, Biotin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamide DEA is a coconut-derived cleansing agent that creates rich foam and helps to thicken the consistency of cleansing products.
This ingredient effectively removes dirt and oil while helping to stabilize formulations, making it a common addition to shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers.
It has become less popular in recent formulations due to potential irritation in sensitive skin types and concerns about trace amounts of diethanolamine (DEA), which can potentially form nitrosamines.
While still considered safe at regulated concentrations, many manufacturers now opt for gentler alternatives like cocamidopropyl betaine or other surfactants that offer similar benefits with fewer potential drawbacks.
Learn more about Cocamide DEAGlycerin (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 MentholMethylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinonePanthenol 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWe don't have a description for Polyquaternium-47 yet.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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