What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientLaureth-23
CleansingSodium 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
EmulsifyingLaureth-4
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, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate, Behenyl Alcohol, Laureth-23, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Polyquaternium-47, Phytantriol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Laureth-4, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
SurfactantDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingGlycereth-26
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantQuaternium-91
Amodimethicone
Acrylates Copolymer
Citric Acid
BufferingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-39
Laureth-9
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-55
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAcetic Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Pea Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCopaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientIsomalt
HumectantEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientVitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Cocoate, Glycereth-26, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Quaternium-91, Amodimethicone, Acrylates Copolymer, Citric Acid, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyquaternium-10, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Glyceryl Oleate, C11-15 Pareth-7, Polyquaternium-39, Laureth-9, Phospholipids, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Polyquaternium-55, Sodium Benzoate, Panthenol, Trideceth-12, Glycine Soja Oil, Acetic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Persea Gratissima Oil, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Isomalt, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Quaternium-95, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
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.
Decyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateParfum 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