What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Dipropylene 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
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
PEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Glycinate
CleansingAmodimethicone
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamide Mipa, Glycol Distearate, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Avena Sativa Peptide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Glycinate, Amodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Polyquaternium-7, Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 14700, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 EDTALimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum 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.
Sodium 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 cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water