What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Amodimethicone
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Coconut Acid
Emollient
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Limonene
Perfuming
Magnesium Nitrate
Sodium Acetate
BufferingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Magnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Amodimethicone, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sodium Isethionate, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzoic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Tocopherol, Trideceth-6, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzophenone-4, Limonene, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium Acetate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, BHT, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Carbon
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Kaolin
Abrasive
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Mentha Viridis Extract
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Panthenol, Menthol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Decyl Glucoside, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Laureth-4, Carbon, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Kaolin, Glycolic Acid, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Salicylate, Glycerin, Mentha Viridis Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
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 AcidDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is below the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateSodium 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 cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium 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 Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is an organic salt with a naturally sweet odor. It is an alternative to traditional sulfates and is commonly found in "sulfate-free" products.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is used to increase the volume of foam, emulsify ingredients, and as a cleansing agent.
As a cleansing agent, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate helps reduce the surface tension of dirt, oil, and other pollutants so they can be rinsed away easily.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review found this ingredient to irritate the eyes and skin in concentrations of 0.18% and 0.7%.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfoacetateWater. 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
