What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantBambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract
AntioxidantAlanine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Valine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
HumectantAmodimethicone
Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-55
Sodium PCA
HumectantC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Chloride
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Biotin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Bambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract, Alanine, Isoleucine, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Phenylalanine, Proline, PCA, Glycine, Histidine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-55, Sodium PCA, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Sodium Lactate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Caramel, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Propylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Glycerin
HumectantAmodimethicone
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
EmollientMaleic Acid
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantBetaine
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingCysteine
AntioxidantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantLeucine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingThreonine
Glycine
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingTryptophan
MaskingC12-13 Alketh-23
CleansingC12-13 Alketh-3
EmulsifyingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Isethionate
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Maleic Acid, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Alanine, Arginine, Proline, Tyrosine, Cysteine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Lysine, Methionine, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, Valine, Threonine, Glycine, Aspartic Acid, Tryptophan, C12-13 Alketh-23, C12-13 Alketh-3, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Isethionate, Polyquaternium-10, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide AP, Trideceth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body. Our skin uses alanine to build collagen, elastin, and keratin.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineAspartic Acid is an amino acid that our bodies produce naturally. It is an antioxidant.
Our body uses Aspartic Acid to help build collagen and elastin. It also plays a role in hydrating skin.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer is a type of silicone.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
Histidine is a semi-essential amino acid used by our bodies to create protein. It has humectant and skin conditioning properties.
Our bodies use histidine to create filaggrin - filaggrin is a structural protein that the skin uses in maintaining skin barrier.
One study found histidine and carnosine to be a dynamic duo for your skin:
Oral histidine has also been found to help with filaggrin-deficit skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis.
Why is it considered a semi-essential amino acid? This is because adults are able to create it but children must get it from their diet.
Learn more about HistidineIsoleucine is an amino acid that helps reinforce our skin barrier. This amino acid plays a role in creating protein for the body.
Fun fact: Isoleucine is found in meat, fish, dairy, legumes, and nuts.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenylalanine is an amino acid. It is a skin soothing and hydrating ingredient. Amino acids play a crucial role in wound healing and skin hydration.
This ingredient is also used to help even out skin tone due to its ability to disrupt the melanin production process.
Two structures of phenylalanine exist: L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is essential, this means our bodies cannot produce it naturally and we must get it from foods. Our bodies convert D-phenylalanine to neurotransmitters, and D-phenylalanine is found in our bodies naturally.
Some foods that contain L-phenylalanine include eggs, soybeans, beef, milk.
Learn more about PhenylalaninePolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Proline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning your body can make it on its own. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
It makes up about 23% of the collagen molecule (collagen is the protein responsible for keeping your skin firm) and is involved in your skin's natural hyaluronic acid production. When applied topically, proline can penetrate the skin fairly well due to its small molecular size.
Reviews of this ingredient have found it to be neither a dermal irritant nor a sensitizer.
Fun fact: Proline can be found in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
Learn more about ProlinePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAThreonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.
Our skin uses threonine for creating collagen and elastin. Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWe don't have a description for Trideceth-12 yet.
Valine is an essential amino acid. It is used by our bodies for tissue repair and muscle growth.
An essential amino acid is one in which our bodies cannot naturally produce so we must get them through diet. Foods such as eggs, dairy, red meat, and fish contain valine.
This ingredient can either be derived from an animal product or be synthetically created.
Learn more about ValineWater. 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