What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Methylalanine
Sodium Cocoyl Threoninate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Chloride
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate
Cleansing
Palm Kernelamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Lauroyl Sarcosine
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceride
Emollient
Saccharomyces/Sunflower Seed Oil Ferment Filtrate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-49
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PPG-1/PEG-1 Stearamine
AntimicrobialParaffin
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHoney
Humectant
Polyquaternium-107
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingAmodimethicone
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Vinyl Dimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
PEG-40/PPG-8 Methylaminopropyl/Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer
PEG-160m
Emulsion StabilisingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingSteartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Water, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Methylalanine, Sodium Cocoyl Threoninate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Cocamide Mea, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Sodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate, Palm Kernelamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauroyl Sarcosine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceride, Saccharomyces/Sunflower Seed Oil Ferment Filtrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Alcohol Denat., Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-49, Butylene Glycol, Caramel, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, PPG-1/PEG-1 Stearamine, Paraffin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beeswax, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Honey, Polyquaternium-107, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Glycosyl Trehalose, Amodimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Bis-Vinyl Dimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, PEG-40/PPG-8 Methylaminopropyl/Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer, PEG-160m, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Steartrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
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 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium 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 Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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
