What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialFoeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
MaskingEchinacea Purpurea Root Extract
MoisturisingInula Helenium Extract
MaskingCarbenia Benedicta Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCrataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLuffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingPolyquaternium-10
Hydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientLupinus Albus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingMenthol
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialCocamide Methyl Mea
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Crataegus Oxyacantha Fruit Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Inula Helenium Extract, Carbenia Benedicta Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Betaine, Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Caramel, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Methyl Mea
Parfum
MaskingPPG-7
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Menthol
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSqualane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract
AntimicrobialSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingKeratin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantWater, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Cocamide Mea, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Parfum, PPG-7, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-47, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Menthol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Squalane, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Keratin, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Soluble Collagen
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Methyl Mea yet.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract comes from the lavender plant.
Many components of lavender flowers are antioxidants, such as ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and several flavonoids.
Traditional Iranian folk medicine uses Lavender extract to help treat inflammation.
Lavender extract may have a scent.
It contains linalool, a known allergen. However, lavender extract contains less linalool than lavender essential oil.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia Flower ExtractMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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-10This is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is an essential oil also known as rosemary essential oil. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning agent and also acts as a natural fragrance that gives products a fresh/herby smell.
The oil is a mix of over 100 volatile compounds with 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and verbenone usually leading the pack.
Lab studies credit this oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Some research even show rosemary compounds calming acne-related inflammation.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Since this is a fragrant essential oil, the main concern is for fragrance-sensitive folks.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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