What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactose
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMaris Aqua
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Sodium Phytate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantYogurt
Skin ProtectingYogurt Powder
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Zea Mays Starch, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glyceryl Laurate, Sclerotium Gum, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Lactic Acid, Lactis Proteinum, Lactobacillus, Lactose, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Maris Aqua, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Sodium Phytate, Titanium Dioxide, Yogurt, Yogurt Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOleyl Alcohol
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ascorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDextran
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHexyldecanol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingPinus Nigra Bud/Needle Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Gluceptate
Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Oleyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Distarch Phosphate, Triheptanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Dextran, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hexyldecanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Pinus Nigra Bud/Needle Extract, Sodium Gluceptate, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidThis Honeysuckle flower extract comes from the Italian honeysuckle. It is an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and fragrance.
Both this and the Japanese Honeysuckle are rich in a natural paraben that give it antimicrobial property. They are effective in inhibiting bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Honeysuckle contains flavonoids and saponins. Both of these components are natural antioxidants that can help soothe the skin.
As most flowers do, honeysuckle has a natural fragrance.
Learn more about Lonicera Caprifolium Flower ExtractLonicera Japonica Flower Extract comes from the honeysuckle flower.
Honeysuckles have skin protecting, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains many antioxidants, such as luteolin, caffeic acid, loniflavone, and chlorogenic acids.
This honeysuckle is native to East Asia and used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever and inflammation.
Learn more about Lonicera Japonica Flower ExtractParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 BenzoateWater. 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