What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-7
Skin ConditioningMaleic Acid
BufferingArginine
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Methylglucamine
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Trihydroxystearin, Butylene Glycol, PPG-7, Maleic Acid, Arginine, Polyquaternium-10, Methylglucamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucosamine Hcl, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Tetrasodium EDTA, Oleic Acid, Dextrin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Linoleic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-5 Ethylhexanoate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Steareth-20
CleansingPEG-75 Stearate
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingCeteth-20
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Decyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Stearate, Charcoal Powder, Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, PEG-5 Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Steareth-20, PEG-75 Stearate, Trideceth-9, Ceteth-20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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 ParfumThis ingredient is a surfactant and foam producer.
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.
This 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 TaurateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
