What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDisteareth-100 Ipdi
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeMethoxy PEG/PPG-7/3 Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Menthol
MaskingGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingLauramidopropyl Dimethylamine
Citric Acid
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSteareth-100/PEG-136/Hdi Copolymer
Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberHydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentArginine
MaskingAcetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantothenate
Hydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingOrnithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlucosamine Hcl
Disodium Succinate
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Disteareth-100 Ipdi, Potassium Sorbate, Methoxy PEG/PPG-7/3 Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Menthol, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-7, Decyl Glucoside, Lauramidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citric Acid, Lauric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Steareth-100/PEG-136/Hdi Copolymer, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Quaternium-95, Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Keratin, Zea Mays Starch, Arginine, Acetyl Tyrosine, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Zinc Gluconate, Calcium Pantothenate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Niacinamide, Ornithine Hcl, Polyquaternium-11, Citrulline, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Biotin, Glucosamine Hcl, Disodium Succinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDimethyl Lauramide/Myristamide
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
HumectantPassiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantCucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPolyquaternium-7
Glycerin
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethyl Lauramide/Myristamide, Zinc PCA, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Biotin, Polyquaternium-7, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinCitric 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 GlycerinThis 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 ChloridePanthenol 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
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 BenzoateWater. 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