What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
SurfactantPEG-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
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientZinc Carbonate
Sodium Xylenesulfonate
Dimethicone
EmollientZinc Pyrithione
AntiseborrhoeicCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMagnesium Carbonate Hydroxide
BufferingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Zinc Carbonate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Dimethicone, Zinc Pyrithione, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 42090, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be 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 CinnamalMethylchloroisothiazolinone, 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 ParfumSodium 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 Water