What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeSodium Isostearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingTrimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientEtidronic Acid
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPhytosteryl Oleate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAngelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiaminopyrimidine Oxide
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingChrysin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingHexapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Betaine, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Piroctone Olamine, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Etidronic Acid, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Phytosteryl Oleate, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Benzoate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Caffeine, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Chlorphenesin, Adenosine, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Niacinamide, Yeast Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Chrysin, Arginine, Oleanolic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Hexapeptide-3, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantInulin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGeraniol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides, Inulin, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Geraniol, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 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 BetaineParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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 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 IsethionateWater. 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