What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCoconut Acid
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phytate
Isopropanolamine
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide Mipa, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Limonene, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Coconut Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Isethionate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Isopropanolamine, Sodium PCA, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Isethionate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Bungeanum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea
EmollientHydroxypropyl Bisstearamide Mea
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGlycol Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Stearic Acid
CleansingTrisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Lauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamide Mipa, Betaine, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Isethionate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Piroctone Olamine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Pericarp Extract, Phytosterols, Hydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea, Hydroxypropyl Bisstearamide Mea, Mentha Piperita Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Menthol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glycol Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Coconut Acid, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Stearic Acid, Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Limonene
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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Mipa yet.
Coconut acid is a mixture of fatty acids obtains by hydrolyzing coconut oil and then distilling the fatty acid portion. It works as a cleansing surfactant, emollient, and emulsifier depending on the formulation.
This ingredient is not a single compound but reflects the fatty acid profile of coconut oil itself, which is about 90% saturated.
The dominant fatty acid is lauric acid (44-54%) and then myristic acid (13-19%). There are also small amounts of caprylic, capric, palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
Human testing from CIR has shown no indication this ingredient to be a primary irritant, sensitizer, or phototoxic compound. It's COSMOS-approved for natural and organic products.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Research has confirmed Malassezia can use lauric acid as a food source.
Learn more about Coconut 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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimonenePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 IsethionateWe don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate yet.
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