What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmodimethicone
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingLinalool
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Magnesium Nitrate
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitol
Humectant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Hydroxide, Amodimethicone, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Citric Acid, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, CI 60730, Butylene Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Trideceth-6, Linalool, Salicylic Acid, Magnesium Nitrate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Sodium Benzoate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
PPG-2 Cocamide
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingMyristamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Menthyl PCA
HumectantMenthol
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-52
Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingSodium Laureth-11 Carboxylate
CleansingLaureth-16
EmulsifyingDihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Etidronic Acid
Pentasodium Pentetate
Chloramine T
AntimicrobialMethylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PPG-2 Cocamide, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Myristamidopropyl Betaine, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Menthyl PCA, Menthol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-52, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Sodium Laureth-11 Carboxylate, Laureth-16, Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Isostearic Acid, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Etidronic Acid, Pentasodium Pentetate, Chloramine T, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMCI is a preservative and known skin-irritant. It has anti-bacteria anti-fungal properties.
Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient to cause skin irritation and allergies.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI). Other names for this mixture include Kathon CG and Euxyl K 100.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Trade names for this combination include Kathon CG or Euxyl K 100.
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneParfum 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-10Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
