What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-11
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glycol Distearate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingSteareth-4
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingMagnesium Nitrate
Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPPG-33-Buteth-45
Skin ConditioningMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativeWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Parfum, Polyquaternium-11, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Disodium EDTA, Glycol Distearate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Steareth-4, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Magnesium Nitrate, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, PPG-33-Buteth-45, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Lactic Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingAmodimethicone
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingDipeptide-15
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl PCA
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-9
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-3 Distearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Lactic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Amodimethicone, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Panthenol, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, C12-14 Pareth-12, Dipeptide-15, Octyldodecyl PCA, Butylene Glycol, PPG-9, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Acetic Acid, Glycoproteins, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLinalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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 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.
Polyquaternium-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-10Potassium 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 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.
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 ChlorideSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateWater. 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