What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Polyquaternium-7
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Algae Extract
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera Water, Polyquaternium-7, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, Algae Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Gluconolactone
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid 1%
Antimicrobial
Honey
Humectant
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid 1%, Honey, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWater. 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
