What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Shea Butter Glycerides
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingHibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Erythritol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mipa, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Shea Butter Glycerides, Niacinamide, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Erythritol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Citronellol
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantAlanine
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSucrose
HumectantUrea
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHexyl Nicotinate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingGlycerin, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Polyquaternium-10, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Glucose, Alanine, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Sucrose, Urea, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Hexyl Nicotinate, Propanediol, Dextrin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Geraniol, Linalool, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 BetaineGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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-10Water. 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