What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingDisteareth-75 Ipdi
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Surfactant
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Artocarpus Heterophyllus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningArgan Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCeteareth-7
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Fumaric Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Disteareth-75 Ipdi, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Coconut Acid, Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone, Glycerin, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Artocarpus Heterophyllus Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Argan Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Isethionate, Propanediol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Glycol Distearate, Panthenol, Ceteareth-25, Ceteareth-7, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caprylyl Glycol, Fumaric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, BHT, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, 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.
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 OilThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 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
