What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingLauryl Betaine
CleansingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingMaleic Acid
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCinchona Succirubra Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCI 42053
Cosmetic ColorantPantolactone
HumectantPolyquaternium-22
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Lauryl Betaine, Laureth-3, Maleic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Biotin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Alcohol, CI 42090, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Parfum, Glycerin, CI 42053, Pantolactone, Polyquaternium-22, Potassium Sorbate, Pyridoxine Hcl, CI 17200, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingZinc Coceth Sulfate
CleansingCeteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingMaleic Acid
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMentha Aquatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentEucalyptus Globulus Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCamphor
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMenthol
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Zinc Coceth Sulfate, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Laureth-3, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Maleic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mentha Aquatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf/Twig Oil, Benzyl Salicylate, Camphor, Caramel, Citric Acid, Parfum, CI 61570, Limonene, Linalool, Menthol, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
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.
We don't have a description for Laureth-3 yet.
We don't have a description for Maleic Acid yet.
Parfum 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-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilSodium 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water