What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingAngelica Archangelica Root Oil
MaskingAngelica Archangelica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Glycerin
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Citric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Angelica Archangelica Root Oil, Angelica Archangelica Seed Oil, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-2 Cocamide
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPapain
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningApigenin
AntioxidantBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingZinc Picolinate
SoothingGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButyloctanol
HumectantDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingSilicone Quaternium-16
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningUndeceth-11
EmollientPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingSteareth-4
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingUndeceth-5
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCoumarin
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Mipa, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-2 Cocamide, Glycol Stearate, Panthenol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Papain, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Urtica Dioica Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Keratin Amino Acids, Bromelain, Creatine, Apigenin, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Oleanolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Zinc Picolinate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Isopropyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butyloctanol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Silicone Quaternium-16, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Glycol Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Undeceth-11, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Steareth-4, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Undeceth-5, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol
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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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