What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Coceth Sulfate
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingLauramine Oxide
Cleansing
Cocamide DEA
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Polyquaternium-11
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Sodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Lauramine Oxide, Cocamide DEA, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, DMDM Hydantoin, Polyquaternium-11, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Benzyl Salicylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Tea-Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingQuaternium-87
CleansingParfum
Masking
Creatine
Skin ConditioningPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Carbocysteine
AntiseborrhoeicHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Polyquaternium-7
Sericin
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tea-Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Quaternium-87, Parfum, Creatine, PEG-90m, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Methicone, Polyquaternium-10, Carbocysteine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Polyquaternium-7, Sericin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCitric 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 AcidHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.
One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.
Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidParfum 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.
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-10Polyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
