What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, 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
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tilia Tomentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningSargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Biotin, Panthenol, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tilia Tomentosa Extract, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Phospholipids, Glycolipids, Glycine Soja Sterols, Santalum Album Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCitric 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 (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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Oil is a plant-derived oil from soybean seeds. Like other oils, it is rich in essential fatty acids (mostly linoleic and oleic) that support skin hydration and barrier function.
The fatty acids are able to integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to help soften skin and reduce water loss.
On top of that, soybean oil is rich in vitamins like vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
Research on soybean's active components also point to anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, antioxidant activity, and protection against UV-induced oxidative damage.
Most of this research applies to the broader soybean plant and not just the oil fraction alone.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic acid content.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideThis ingredient is commonly known as Patchouli oil.
Patchouli exhibits slight antibacterial and antifungal activity from its patchoulol and alpha-patchoulene content.
However, it also contains known skin-irritating fragrances. A study from 2015 found limonene and camphor as active components of this ingredient.
Limonene and camphor are both known EU allergens.
Learn more about Pogostemon Cablin Leaf OilSodium 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.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateWater. 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
