What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Parfum
MaskingGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-7
Laureth-10
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningFormic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSaccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glycol Distearate, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Panthenol, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Cocamide Mea, Polyquaternium-10, Parfum, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-7, Laureth-10, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Formic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, CI 19140, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Amodimethicone
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingPolysorbate 21
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingC12-13 Alketh-23
CleansingC12-13 Alketh-3
EmulsifyingCitral
PerfumingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Parfum, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Betaine, Citric Acid, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Amodimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Limonene, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Glycine, Polysorbate 21, Trideceth-6, Linalool, C12-13 Alketh-23, C12-13 Alketh-3, Citral, Cetrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 BetaineGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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 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.
Polyquaternium-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-10Polyquaternium-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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 ChlorideWater. 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