What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMenthol
MaskingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLauryl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCamphor
MaskingAmmonium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyquaternium-7
Disodium EDTA
Myristyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantXylitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingProtease
ExfoliatingParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Menthol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Cocamide Mea, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Lauryl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Camphor, Ammonium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Malt Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Niacinamide, Polyquaternium-7, Disodium EDTA, Myristyl Alcohol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearyl Alcohol, CI 15510, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Protease, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract
AntimicrobialGleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingVitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Propylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-10
HumectantMenthol
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Seed Extract
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCrinum Asiaticum Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOak Vinegar
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Chrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract, Gleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Dimethicone, Cocamide Mipa, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Parfum, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Decylene Glycol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol, PEG-10, Menthol, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Crinum Asiaticum Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oak Vinegar, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAThis 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 ChlorideHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPanthenol 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.
Water. 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