What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingErythritol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDimethicone
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingMalic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLaureth-23
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingStearoxypropyl Dimethylamine
C14-28 Isoalkyl Acid
Laureth-4
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingC14-28 Alkyl Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPPG-9
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Erythritol, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamide Mea, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Malic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycine, Panthenol, Laureth-23, Sodium Chloride, Stearoxypropyl Dimethylamine, C14-28 Isoalkyl Acid, Laureth-4, Sodium Hydroxide, C14-28 Alkyl Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, PPG-9, Stearyl Alcohol, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Diazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
BufferingGlycine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPinene
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactic Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Sorbitan Caprylate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Citric Acid, Glycine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Pinene
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 BetaineCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideGlycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
This 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 ChlorideLimonene 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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.
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 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 Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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