What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methylalanine
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Lauramide DEA
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingZinc Lauroyl Aspartate
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantArginine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Glucose Glutamate
HumectantProline
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Valine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Phenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningArbutin
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Keratin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-50
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Cholesterol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Cocamide DEA
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCocamide Methyl Mea
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
PEG-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Acetic Acid
BufferingAmmonium Ferric Pentetate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methylalanine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauramide DEA, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Zinc Lauroyl Aspartate, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Retinyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Arginine, Alanine, Glucose 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, Oryza Sativa 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, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-3 Distearate, Glycol Distearate, Acetic Acid, Ammonium Ferric Pentetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium C12-14 Pareth-2 Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed 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. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
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 ParfumPeg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is created from polyethylene glycol and fatty acids from coconut oil.
It is a synthetic polymer with emulsifying and cleansing properties.
As an emulsifier, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate prevents ingredients such as oils and water from separating. It also helps rinse away oils, dirt, and pollutants from skin.
Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also dry out skin.
Learn more about PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoatePhenoxyethanol 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 a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
