What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventLactic Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Propylene Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Parfum, Betaine, Panthenol, Sodium Levulinate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bioflavonoids, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingZinc PCA
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentWater, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Zinc PCA, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Maltodextrin
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 AcidCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum