What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Manganese PCA
HumectantPolyamide-2
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingPEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSilicone Quaternium-3
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzisothiazolinone
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Hexamethylindanopyran
Masking
Coumarin
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Parfum, Glycol Distearate, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Manganese PCA, Polyamide-2, Citric Acid, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, PEG-150 Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Silicone Quaternium-3, Polysorbate 20, Trideceth-12, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzisothiazolinone, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Hexamethylindanopyran, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool
Zinc Pyrithione 1%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Amodimethicone
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Potato Starch Modified
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Pyrithione 1%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Amodimethicone, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Polyquaternium-10, Potato Starch Modified, Citric Acid, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Carbomer, Coco-Betaine, Benzoic Acid, Niacinamide, Trideceth-6, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Salicylic Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide NP, Triethyl Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidCitric 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 AcidGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearatePhenoxyethanol 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 SulfonateChances 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 ChlorideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium Lauroyl Lactylate is the lauric acid sodium salt of lactyl lactate.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is an emulsifier and surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally. Surfactants reduce surface tension, making it easier to rinse pollutants off skin.
Due to its relation to lauric acid, it may provide antimicrobial benefits.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl LactylateWater. 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
