What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPumice
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentMannitol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantCalcium Gluconate
HumectantQuartz
AbrasiveSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAbies Sibirica Oil
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Pumice, Glycerin, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Charcoal Powder, Zea Mays Starch, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Calcium Gluconate, Quartz, Sodium Hydroxide, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Beta-Caryophyllene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingVolcanic Sand
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Powder
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingBentonite
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Betaine
CleansingCoconut Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSea Silt
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaffeine
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingJasminum Officinale Oil
MaskingSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Powder
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingErythritol
HumectantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Volcanic Sand, Oryza Sativa Powder, Coco-Glucoside, Bentonite, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Coconut Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Sea Silt, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Propanediol, Caffeine, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Powder, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Citrate, Erythritol, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilLimonene 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 LinaloolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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