What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Seed Extract
AntioxidantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Panthenol, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningApigenin
AntioxidantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAmodimethicone/Morpholinomethyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingTrideceth-5
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeDextran
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycol Distearate, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Oleanolic Acid, Apigenin, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Piroctone Olamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone/Morpholinomethyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Trideceth-5, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Dextran, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Quaternium-95, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, 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.
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 AcidThis ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlycol 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 DistearateThis 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 ChlorideParfum 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 ParfumPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate is an emulsifier, thickener, and mild conditioner.
It's made by esterifying and pentaerythritol with stearic acid, and then attaching 150 units of ethylene oxide to make it water-friendly.
This structure lets it bridge oil and water to prevent ingredients from separating and keep formulas stable. It is also the reason it gives cosmetics a creamy feel without the greasiness.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be well-tolerated. Human repeated patch testing on the undiluted version has come back negative for irritation and sensitization. On top of that, its large molecule size makes skin penetration unlikely.
Usage concentration ranges from 5% in rinse-off to 1.8% in leave-on formulas.
Because this ingredient is derived from stearic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl TetrastearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
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