What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPolyquaternium-22
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientMenthol
MaskingC11-15 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Potato Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Tetradecene
EmollientHexadecene
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Triethyl Citrate, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-22, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Menthol, C11-15 Pareth-12, Butylene Glycol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Saccharide Isomerate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Hydrolyzed Potato Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Codium Fragile Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Betaine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Tetradecene, Hexadecene, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-6
Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingMenthol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingAdenium Obesum Leaf Cell Extract
MaskingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingCysteine
AntioxidantAspartic Acid
MaskingAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Phenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPorphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Parfum, Polyquaternium-6, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, PEG-150 Distearate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Menthol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Adenium Obesum Leaf Cell Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Cysteine, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Arginine, Isoleucine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Protein yet.
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein is a vegan protein made to mimic hydrolyzed collagen. It is created from soy, or glycine soja.
This ingredient is a humectant, meaning it helps hydrate the skin by binding to water. According to a manufacturer, it is also a great hair conditioner.
Read more about hydrolyzed collagen here.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinThis ingredient is a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
Menthol 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateChances 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 Chloride