What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methylalanine
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLauramide DEA
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingZinc Lauroyl Aspartate
Rice Ferment Lees
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantArginine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingZinc Glutamate
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Ceramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningAspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientZea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientKeratin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-50
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingCholesterol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCocamide Methyl Mea
Isopentyldiol
HumectantZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingCoconut Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmollientPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientAcetic Acid
BufferingAmmonium Ferric Pentetate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methylalanine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauramide DEA, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Zinc Lauroyl Aspartate, Rice Ferment Lees, Retinyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Arginine, Alanine, Zinc Glutamate, Proline, Glycine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Serine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Arbutin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Squalane, Keratin, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-50, Butylene Glycol, PCA, Sodium PCA, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Lactate, Cholesterol, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polysorbate 20, PEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Isopentyldiol, Zea Mays Oil, Coconut Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, PEG-3 Distearate, Glycol Distearate, Acetic Acid, Ammonium Ferric Pentetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium C12-14 Pareth-2 Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Parfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningPolyepsilon-Lysine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium C12-14 Pareth-2 Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Dipropylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Polyepsilon-Lysine, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. Argan Oil has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Studies have shown argan oil can help fight again radical damage from the sun. This makes it effective at preventing hyperpigmentation.
Large amounts of vitamin E found in argan oil helps the skin retain water. Argan oil also contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also a good source of lipids.
Another benefit of argan oil is skin-soothing. It can help reduce inflammation-related skin symptoms.
Argan Oil is effective at regulating sebum production in pores. This can make it effective at treating hormonal acne.
Traditionally, argan oil was used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, argan oil contains fatty acids that may make it not fungal-acne safe.
Argan Trees are native to Morocco.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilButylene 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Methyl Mea yet.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineParfum 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-10Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water