What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sunfloweroyl Methylglucamide
CleansingSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantSorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycol Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Coco-Glucoside, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sunfloweroyl Methylglucamide, Sorbitan Laurate, Polyquaternium-47, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Mel
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Emollient
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-7
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingBHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Propanediol, Coco-Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Mel, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Faex Extract, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Glycol Distearate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-150 Distearate, Polyquaternium-7, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, BHT, Parfum, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycol 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 DistearateLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as 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 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium 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
