What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Lactamide Mea
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-7
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Sodium Sarcosinate
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Water, 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
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Fumaria Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-10
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, 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. Argan Oil has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Studies have shown argan oil can help fight again radical damage from the sun. This makes it effective at preventing hyperpigmentation.
Large amounts of vitamin E found in argan oil helps the skin retain water. Argan oil also contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also a good source of lipids.
Another benefit of argan oil is skin-soothing. It can help reduce inflammation-related skin symptoms.
Argan Oil is effective at regulating sebum production in pores. This can make it effective at treating hormonal acne.
Traditionally, argan oil was used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, argan oil contains fatty acids that may make it not fungal-acne safe.
Argan Trees are native to Morocco.
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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Linalool 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 made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
