What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingBabassuamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSunfloweroyl Methylglucamide
CleansingJojoba Esters
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningPPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether Distearate
EmollientChitosan
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Grapeseedamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Threoninate
CleansingOctafluoropentyl Methacrylate
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningMethylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine
Skin ProtectingBis-(Isostearoyl/Oleoyl Isopropyl) Dimonium Methosulfate
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyquaternium-22
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Babassuamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Stearate, Propanediol, Sunfloweroyl Methylglucamide, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether Distearate, Chitosan, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Grapeseedamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Cocoyl Threoninate, Octafluoropentyl Methacrylate, Polyquaternium-47, Methylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine, Bis-(Isostearoyl/Oleoyl Isopropyl) Dimonium Methosulfate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Polyquaternium-22, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Polyglycerin-3, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocos Nucifera Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientLaureth-2
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopherol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Cocos Nucifera Seed Butter, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Laureth-2, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Behentrimonium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCitric 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 (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLimonene 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 ParfumSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is a gentle, coconut-derived cleansing surfactant. It's most commonly found in "sulfate-free" cleansers.
As a taurate, it belongs to a class of anionic surfactants prized for being efficient at cleansing without harshness, good performance in hard water, stability across a wide pH range, and easily biodegradable.
It is able to lift away oil and grime and make a nice lather without stripping your skin, so it's a good pick for sensitive skin.
Safety-wise, it has a good record. The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics and concentrations go up to 11% in leave-on products or 13% in rinse-off products.
Despite being derived from coconut oil, this ingredient is fungal acne safe. It's a water-soluble surfactant with no fatty oils or esters left intact on skin for the Malassezia yeast to feed.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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