What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantQuartz Powder
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycol Distearate, Linoleic Acid, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Coco-Glucoside, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Quartz Powder, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLaureth-5 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingIsopentane
SolventVolcanic Ash
AbrasiveSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingAmodimethicone
Glycereth-26
HumectantParfum
MaskingCoconut Acid
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Isethionate
CleansingIsobutane
Polyquaternium-10
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSilicone Quaternium-3
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-59
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract
MaskingHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Isopentane, Volcanic Ash, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Amodimethicone, Glycereth-26, Parfum, Coconut Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Isethionate, Isobutane, Polyquaternium-10, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Silicone Quaternium-3, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-12, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-59, Glycerin, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateHexyl 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 CinnamalLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimonenePanthenol 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.
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 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 ChlorideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum