What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolycitronellol
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-44
Polyquaternium-70
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEugenol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polycitronellol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycerin, Cocamide Mipa, Glycol Distearate, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-44, Polyquaternium-70, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Eugenol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningBertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningAstrocaryum Vulgare Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Extract
Skin ConditioningAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-2
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Glycerin, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Astrocaryum Vulgare Kernel Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamide Mipa, Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-2, Calcium Gluconate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Mipa yet.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideParfum 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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWater. 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