What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
SurfactantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Betaine
CleansingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Salicylic Acid
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Benzoic Acid
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Benzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPearl Powder
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Coco-Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, Polyquaternium-7, Benzoic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzyl Salicylate, Pearl Powder, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Tocopherol
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Parfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Propanediol, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Aspergillus Ferment, Arginine, Rice Amino Acids, Persea Gratissima Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
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 AcidGlycol 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 DistearateWe don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride yet.
Parfum 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 Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateWater. 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