What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLaureth-6 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPPG-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dimethiconol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Benzoate, PPG-7, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Salicylate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tocopherol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol Denat., PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Glycolipids
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Amodimethicone
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingOctyldodecyl PCA
EmollientBis-Methoxypropylamido Isodocosane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantLanolin Acid
CleansingPPG-9
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-3 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Amodimethicone, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodecyl PCA, Bis-Methoxypropylamido Isodocosane, Butylene Glycol, Lanolin Acid, PPG-9, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Acetic Acid, Glycoproteins, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 60730, CI 16035, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 ParfumPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate is an emulsifier, thickener, and mild conditioner.
It's made by esterifying and pentaerythritol with stearic acid, and then attaching 150 units of ethylene oxide to make it water-friendly.
This structure lets it bridge oil and water to prevent ingredients from separating and keep formulas stable. It is also the reason it gives cosmetics a creamy feel without the greasiness.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be well-tolerated. Human repeated patch testing on the undiluted version has come back negative for irritation and sensitization. On top of that, its large molecule size makes skin penetration unlikely.
Usage concentration ranges from 5% in rinse-off to 1.8% in leave-on formulas.
Because this ingredient is derived from stearic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl TetrastearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyquaternium-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-10We don't have a description for PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide yet.
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 BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateSodium 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