What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCanola Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlycol Stearate
EmollientPolyquaternium-7
PEG-4 Rapeseedamide
Triethanolamine
BufferingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Disodium EDTA
Triethylene Glycol
MaskingPolyquaternium-11
Stearic Acid
CleansingSodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOctadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Parfum, Glycine Soja Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Canola Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate, Glyceryl Oleate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycol Stearate, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-4 Rapeseedamide, Triethanolamine, Glycol Distearate, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Coco-Glucoside, Polyquaternium-10, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Triethylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-11, Stearic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycol Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
CleansingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingSargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAlgin
MaskingCarrageenan
Chitosan
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Disodium EDTA
PEG-12 Allyl Ether
PEG-12
HumectantIsopropanolamine
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantSodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Panthenol, Glycerin, Cetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Coco-Glucoside, Algin, Carrageenan, Chitosan, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-11, Disodium EDTA, PEG-12 Allyl Ether, PEG-12, Isopropanolamine, Sorbitol, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycol Stearate comes from stearic acid and ethylene glycol.
It is a creamy wax used to stabilize ingredients as an emulsifier. Glycol stearate also contains emollient properties. Emollients sit on top of the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol StearateThis ingredient is derived from guar gum.
It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.
Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholPanthenol 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyquaternium-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-10We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-11 yet.
We don't have a description for Sodium Acetate yet.
Sodium 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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Chances 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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