What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingCetyl Betaine
CleansingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-10
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Magnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Chloride
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Cetyl Betaine, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Polyquaternium-10, Coco-Glucoside, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Glycine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMenthol
Masking
Amodimethicone
Glycerin
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Trideceth-10
CleansingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
PEG-100 Stearate
Steareth-6
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Trideceth-3
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Fumaric Acid
BufferingAcetic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Cocamide Mea, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Menthol, Amodimethicone, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Linalool, Trideceth-10, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-6, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Trideceth-3, Phenoxyethanol, Fumaric Acid, Acetic Acid, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Reviews
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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
