What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-7
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Parfum, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Caffeine, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyquaternium-7, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, PEG-150 Distearate, Benzophenone-4, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 17200, CI 42090
Physalis Peruviana Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingMethoxycinnamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
UV AbsorberTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPhysalis Peruviana Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Caffeine, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamide Mea, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Methoxycinnamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Tocotrienols, Sodium Gluconate, Parfum, Citric Acid, CI 16035, CI 42090, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCi 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 BenzoateThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water