What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
CleansingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBetula Alba Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningCorylus Avellana Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Bud Extract
AntioxidantJuglans Regia Leaf Extract
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Water, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Betula Alba Bud Extract, Corylus Avellana Bud Extract, Olea Europaea Bud Extract, Juglans Regia Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Isostearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingNymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Bentonite
AbsorbentCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Water, PEG-8, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Lauric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Bentonite, Coco-Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-150 Distearate, Polyquaternium-7, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-14m, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Eugenol, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 77007
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 oil comes from the seed of the prickly pear cactus. Due to its ability to be easily absorbed, it does not leave a greasy feeling behind.
The main parts of this oil are fatty acids - linoleic, oleic, and palmitic. Other than that, the seeds also contains antioxidants such as vitamin E that help soothe the skin.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed OilThis ingredient comes from the stem of the Prickly Pear cactus. The stem is rich in polyphenols, a potent source of antioxidants. It is anti-aging and soothing properties.
Prickly Pear stem is made up mostly of water (85%). The rest is composed of skin nourishing compounds: protein, fiber, fatty acid, simple sugars, Vitamin C, and some minerals.
Polyphenols help mitigate the effects of aging. Studies show polyphenols protect the skin from oxidative stress, UV-induced damage, and inflammation.
Prickly pear is often compared to Aloe.
Learn more about Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem ExtractParfum 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.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water