What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsostearamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Laureth-6 Carboxylate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantSodium Lauroyl Aspartate
CleansingIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium Succinoyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningPolianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningIsostearic Acid
CleansingPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
MoisturisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil PCA Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-52
Polyquaternium-10
Laureth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dipropylene Glycol, Isostearamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Laureth-6 Carboxylate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk, Squalane, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Silk, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Succinoyl Glycyrrhetinate, Polianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide, Isostearic Acid, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil PCA Isostearate, Polyquaternium-52, Polyquaternium-10, Laureth-16, Sodium Chloride, Malic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantGlycerin
HumectantOnsen-Sui
Taurine
BufferingMeadowfoam Delta-Lactone
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventPolyquaternium-10
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Glycerin, Onsen-Sui, Taurine, Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Ubiquinone, Trehalose, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Polyquaternium-10, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Cocamide Methyl Mea yet.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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-10Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine (aka DLGL) is an amino-acid based surfactant. Because it has two fatty tails and two water-loving ends, it's really great at mixing oils and water into stable textures.
It is also a humectant; like hyaluronic acid, it can draw moisture to your skin.
DLGL has been studied as a skin delivery helper. In lab skin models, it increased accumulation/penetration of hydrophilic actives (like vitamin C).
An Australian NICNAS report states DLGL to be non-irritating to skin at less than 10% and non-irritating to eyes at less than 1%. There's no evidence of skin sensitization in animal tests, but be sure to patch test if you are sensitive to surfactants.
Learn more about Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide LysineWater. 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