What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Surfactant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Polysorbate 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
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
Cleansing
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
Abrasive
Keratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Silk Amino Acids
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Keratin Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Silk Amino Acids, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 17200, CI 19140, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
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 OilButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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 AcidDisodium 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 EDTALinalool 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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
