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 Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingIsopentyldiol
HumectantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveTrehalose
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriacetin
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Isopentyldiol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Sorbitan Laurate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sodium Chloride, Sodium PCA, Urea, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triacetin, Limonene, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid
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 AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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 skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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.
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 SorbateRosmarinus 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 ExtractChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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