What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Cleansing
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Tocopherol, Lauric Acid, Glycerin, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Acer Saccharum Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Limonene, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Decyl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Gluconate, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool
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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilWater. 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
