What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-53
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Glycol Distearate, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Laureth-4, Polyquaternium-53, Polyquaternium-47, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Amodimethicone
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingOctyldodecyl PCA
EmollientBis-Methoxypropylamido Isodocosane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantLanolin Acid
CleansingPPG-9
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-3 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Amodimethicone, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodecyl PCA, Bis-Methoxypropylamido Isodocosane, Butylene Glycol, Lanolin Acid, PPG-9, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Acetic Acid, Glycoproteins, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 60730, CI 16035, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidBenzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateHexyl 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 CinnamalLinalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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 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 BenzoateSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateWater. 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