Versus

MONAT IR Clinical Thickening Shampoo Versus MONAT Smoothing Anti-Frizz Shampoo

Shampoo
Shampoo
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on January 12, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 33 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
IR Clinical Thickening Shampoo
Smoothing Anti-Frizz Shampoo

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate

Cleansing

Lauramidopropyl Betaine

Cleansing

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Cleansing

Isoamyl Laurate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Adansonia Digitata Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Citrus Aurantifolia Oil

Cleansing
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Caprylic Acid

Cleansing
1 / 3

Xylitol

Humectant

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil Icon

Triisodecyl Trimellitate

Emollient

Behentrimonium Chloride

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Glyceryl Undecylenate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hypnea Musciformis Extract

Skin Protecting

Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Lignosulfonate

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Absorbent
0 / 0

Polyquaternium-37

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Masking
4 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Picea Mariana Bark Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethyl Linoleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethyl Oleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Trehalose

Humectant

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract

Skin Conditioning

Propanediol

Solvent

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Brassica Napus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Cleansing

Glyceryl Rosinate

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Garcinia Indica Seed Butter

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil Icon

Meadowfoamamidopropyl Betaine

Humectant

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Phytate

Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Skin Conditioning

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Sodium Isethionate

Cleansing

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Glycol Distearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride

Skin Conditioning

PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Polyquaternium-7

Polyquaternium-10

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Coconut Acid

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Benzyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconPreservative IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Acrylates Copolymer

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Levulinate

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydroxycitronellal

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Isoamyl Laurate, Adansonia Digitata Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Triisodecyl Trimellitate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Sodium Lignosulfonate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polyquaternium-37, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycolic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Picea Mariana Bark Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Trehalose, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Brassica Napus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glyceryl Rosinate, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil, Meadowfoamamidopropyl Betaine, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycol Distearate, Hydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, Coconut Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates Copolymer, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Hydroxycitronellal

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. 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

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.

Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.

The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.

This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.

Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.

After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.

It is also used to make a product more thick.

Learn more about Acrylates Copolymer
Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Lauramidopropyl Betaine yet.

Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Glycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.

It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.

It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.

Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Glycol Distearate
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol
Skin Conditioning

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of the meadowfoam plant. This oil is non-fragrant and is an emollient. As an emollient, meadowfoam seed oil helps soften and hydrate the skin.

Due to its structure, meadowfoam seed oil is stable and has a long shelf life. It has the highest concentration of stable fatty-acids among plant oils. This makeup helps prevent it from degrading once exposed to oxygen.

Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.

Meadowfoam is native to California and Oregon.

Learn more about Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning

Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Skin Conditioning

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil comes from a green tea plant native to China. It is closely related to Camellia sinensis. Both plants have very similar properties. This plant also has similar properties to olive oil.

This ingredient is rich in oleic acid. This makes it an effective moisturizer. By creating a thin film on the skin, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil traps moisture within. This helps keep your skin smooth and hydrated.

The antioxidant and soothing properties of this ingredient come from Vitamin E and polyphenols.

The seed oil comes from the dried kernels of the plant.

Learn more about Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil is the oil obtained from the seed of the edible carrot. The oil is created by steaming and distilling the seeds of the plant.

Carrot Seed Oil has hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

As an emollient, carrot seed oil creates a thin film on the skin. This film prevents moisture from escaping, keeping your skin hydrated. Carrot seed oil has a soothing effect and can help alleviate inflammation.

As an antioxidant, carrot seed oil may help reduce the signs of aging. Antioxidants are able to neutralize free-radical molecules, or molecules that can damage our skin's cells and DNA.

Emerging studies show the alpha-pinene and carotol content give carrots antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, this is dependent on the amount of each compound. More studies are needed.

Carrot Seed Oil is not carrot oil. Carrot oil is created by mixing parts of the carrot in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil.

Learn more about Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Citrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.

Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.

Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.

Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.

Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Cleansing, Masking, Perfuming

Citrus Aurantifolia Oil is a fragrance and is an oil.

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. It is native to Italy.

This ingredient is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.

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.

When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.

However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.

Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Baobab oil is an emollient. This ingredient is rich in fatty acids, mostly oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid. Due to this fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.

Fun fact: Our skin uses fatty acids, and especially linoleic acid, for creating ceramides.

Skin Conditioning

Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Cocos Nucifera Oil is obtained from the kernels of the coconut fruit. In other words, this is coconut oil.

Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids with lauric acid making up the majority of these. It also contains linoleic acid. Due to this high fatty acid content, coconut oil helps trap moisture and soften skin.

Despite being antibacterial, coconut oil may not be great for acne-prone skin. It is comedogenic and may clog pores. This ingredient may not be safe for malassezia or fungal acne.

Note: Coconut Oil should not replace your sunscreen for UV protection. Studies show it only blocks about 20% of UV.

This oil is non-volatile and has a light scent.

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 Cocos Nucifera Oil

We don't have a description for Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract yet.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of Moringa oleifera plant. It is more commonly known as Moringa seed oil.

Moringa seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin hydrating properties. These seeds are rich in oils, proteins, monounsaturated fats, and tocopherols.

As an emollient, moringa seed oil helps trap moisture in the skin by creating a film on top. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Many compounds in moringa seed oil are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These compounds include Vitamin E. , catechins, ferulic acid, and more.

Another compound found in Moringa seed oil is oleic acid.

Moringa trees are native to the Himalayan mountains.

This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning

Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.

Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.

These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.

Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.

Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.

Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Polyquaternium-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.

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

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-10
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Perfuming, Preservative, Solvent

Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.

Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.

Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about Benzyl Alcohol
Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate yet.

Cleansing, Emollient, Emulsifying

Coconut Acid isn't fungal acne safe.

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.

Masking, Preservative

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 Benzoate

When to use

2 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
100% use every on_specific_days