What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-22
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHexadecene
SolventTetradecene
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingCocamide Methyl Mea
Butylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Parfum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-22, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hexadecene, Tetradecene, Polyquaternium-10, Panthenol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Malt Extract, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Eugenol, Amyl Cinnamal, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-22
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingHexadecene
SolventTetradecene
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantBerberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamide Mipa, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-22, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthol, Hexadecene, Tetradecene, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Malt Extract, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Oil, Arginine, Glycerin, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hexadecene yet.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWe don't have a description for Malt Extract yet.
Parfum 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-10We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-22 yet.
Sodium 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 SulfonateChances 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 ChlorideWe don't have a description for Tetradecene yet.
Water. 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