What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCeteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingLauryl Betaine
CleansingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Maleic Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-22
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Decyl Glucoside, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Lauryl Betaine, Laureth-3, Propylene Glycol, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Parfum, Maleic Acid, Polyquaternium-22, CI 17200, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Juice
Perfuming
Histidine
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ecklonia Radiata Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Xylenesulfonate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Citrus Paradisi Juice, Histidine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ecklonia Radiata Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
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 AcidParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
