What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCeteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingCassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningPhytantriol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Polyquaternium-47, Phytantriol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPropanediol
SolventCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Polyquaternium-80
CleansingBis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingCoconut Acid
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyimide-1
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlgin
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyquaternium-80, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Coconut Acid, Cocamide Mipa, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyimide-1, Chlorphenesin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Polyquaternium-7, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sarcosine, Pisum Sativum Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citral, CI 19140, CI 15985
Reviews
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Hexyl 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 CinnamalLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 BenzoateSodium 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 IsethionateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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