What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingHydrolyzed Jojoba Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingAcrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingDextran
Niacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSucrose Distearate
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Butylene Glycol, Cholesterol, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Dextran, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sucrose Distearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Chloride
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCitral
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcetum
Linalool
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBalanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingGypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeAcetic Acid
BufferingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Chloride, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Citral, Panthenol, Acetum, Linalool, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Balanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 80, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Sorbic Acid, Acetic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholButylene 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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum.
It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.
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 LinaloolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium 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 Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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