What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Chloride, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
Emollient
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-70
Amodimethicone
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Wheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Dimethyl Sulfone
Solvent
Polyquaternium-10
Taurine
BufferingAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Cinnamate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Alcohol Denat. Sd Alcohol 40
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-35 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Inositol
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-11
Arginine
Masking
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ornithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Hydrolyzed Proanthocyanidin
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-150 Distearate, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Cocamide Mea, Glycol Distearate, Caffeine, Polysorbate 20, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-70, Amodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Dimethyl Sulfone, Polyquaternium-10, Taurine, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Alcohol Denat. Sd Alcohol 40, Tocopherol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Linoleic Acid, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Inositol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Polyquaternium-11, Arginine, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Niacinamide, Ornithine Hcl, Zinc Gluconate, Citrulline, Glucosamine Hcl, Hydrolyzed Proanthocyanidin, Citric Acid
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 AcidGlycerin 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 Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLinalool 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 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.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is an organic salt with a naturally sweet odor. It is an alternative to traditional sulfates and is commonly found in "sulfate-free" products.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is used to increase the volume of foam, emulsify ingredients, and as a cleansing agent.
As a cleansing agent, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate helps reduce the surface tension of dirt, oil, and other pollutants so they can be rinsed away easily.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review found this ingredient to irritate the eyes and skin in concentrations of 0.18% and 0.7%.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfoacetateWater. 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
