What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingLauramide Dipa
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Acetic Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantBis-Diisopropanolamino-Pg-Propyl Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PEG-14 Copolymer
Butyloctanol
HumectantC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Glycol Distearate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventLaureth-4
EmulsifyingMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientPoly(C20-28 Olefin)
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientSilicone Quaternium-16
Skin ConditioningSilicone Quaternium-22
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Sulfate
Stearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Undeceth-11
EmollientUndeceth-5
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauramide Dipa, Glycerin, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Acetic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Bis-Diisopropanolamino-Pg-Propyl Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PEG-14 Copolymer, Butyloctanol, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Disodium EDTA, Glycol Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Laureth-4, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Panthenol, Parfum, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-8 Laurate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Poly(C20-28 Olefin), Polysorbate 20, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Silicone Quaternium-16, Silicone Quaternium-22, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Sulfate, Stearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Undeceth-11, Undeceth-5, Benzoic Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingAcrylates/Aminoacrylates/C10-30 Alkyl PEG-20 Itaconate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingAcetic Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Glycereth-26
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycol Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningLaureth-9
EmulsifyingMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPEG-10 Sunflower Glycerides
EmollientPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPoly(C20-28 Olefin)
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Propylene Glycol
HumectantPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Sulfate
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Benzoate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Acrylates/Aminoacrylates/C10-30 Alkyl PEG-20 Itaconate Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Acetic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Amodimethicone, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, C11-15 Pareth-7, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Glycol Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Laureth-9, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Parfum, PEG-10 Sunflower Glycerides, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Poly(C20-28 Olefin), Polyquaternium-10, Propylene Glycol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Sulfate, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trideceth-12, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Chlorphenesin, Ethylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetic Acid is created during the process of fermenting ethanol. It is used to help adjust the pH of cosmetics.
The pH of your skin is important to maintaining a healthy barrier. This barrier keeps your skin hydrated and protects your skin from external factors such as bacteria.
Citric 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 Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine comes from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is an emulsifier, meaning it helps stabilize and mix ingredients.
This ingredient can be irritating in higher amounts and is related to Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
Disodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 DistearateMagnesium chloride is a mineral salt made from magnesium and chloride. It is mainly used to control product stability and texture in cosmetics.
This ingredient can also play a role in soothing the skin and supporting normal skin function.
Magnesium chloride is water-soluble, generally well tolerated, and does not act as a strong “active” ingredient on its own.
Learn more about Magnesium ChlorideWe don't have a description for Magnesium Nitrate yet.
Methylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneParfum 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.
We don't have a description for Poly(C20-28 Olefin) yet.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 ChlorideSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium Sulfate is a type of sulfate.
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