What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingPropanediol
Solvent
Gamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-33
PEG-32
HumectantPEG-6
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycerylamidoethyl Methacrylate/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Prunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningIsomalt
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-7
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
Moisturising
Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPouteria Sapota Seed Oil
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Ceramide Ag
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Oil
Emollient
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin Conditioning
Quaternium-18
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Propanediol, Gamma-Docosalactone, Quaternium-33, PEG-32, PEG-6, Dipropylene Glycol, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Glycerylamidoethyl Methacrylate/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Keratin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Isomalt, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol, Biotin, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Ubiquinone, Glycine Soja Sterols, Ceramide Ng, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cholesterol, Salicylic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Quaternium-18, Behentrimonium Chloride, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Erythritol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Peat Water
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Extract
EmollientHoney Extract
Humectant
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Seed Extract
Humectant
Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Peucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laurus Nobilis Leaf Extract
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLeonurus Sibiricus Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSecale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Menthol
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCoconut Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Erythritol, Glycerin, Peat Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Extract, Honey Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Leonurus Sibiricus Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Isethionate, Polyquaternium-10, Menthol, Sodium Gluconate, Arginine, Sodium Chloride, Coconut Acid, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCitric 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (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-10Chances 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 ChlorideWater. 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
