What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingLactamide Mea
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Propylene Glycol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSodium Sarcosinate
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Lactamide Mea, Glycerin, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Xylitylglucoside, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium PCA, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Citric Acid, Lauric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, Xylitol, Sodium Sarcosinate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate, Glucose, Tocopherol, Linoleic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientFumaria Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Salicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Dipropylene Glycol, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Polysorbate 20, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Fumaria Officinalis Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Menthol, Citric Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate, Polyquaternium-10, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene
Reviews
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 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 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLinalool 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 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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