What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingLaureth-5 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingIsostearyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
SurfactantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantBisabolol
Antioxidant2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningSafflower Glucoside
Hydroxycitronellal
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Betaine, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Chloride, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Polyquaternium-10, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Amodimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salicylic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Butylene Glycol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Safflower Glucoside, Hydroxycitronellal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Ceramide AP
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetyl Esters
EmollientMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialC13-15 Alkane
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 75120
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cetyl Esters, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Triheptanoin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Pyridoxine Hcl, Panthenol, Diheptyl Succinate, Cetrimonium Chloride, C13-15 Alkane, Citric Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Limonene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 75120
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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 AcidLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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