What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-7
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Gluconate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Citric Acid, PPG-7, Sodium Benzoate, Cocamide Mea, Disodium EDTA, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingSodium Isethionate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Polyquaternium-7
Amodimethicone
Polyquaternium-10
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
SurfactantPropylene Glycol
HumectantC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLinalool
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingMagnesium Nitrate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingArginine
Masking2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningPoly(Linseed Oil)
Benzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantMagnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Coco-Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Coconut Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Sodium Isethionate, Citric Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Chloride, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Polyquaternium-7, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, Carbomer, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, C11-15 Pareth-7, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzoic Acid, Laureth-9, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Linalool, Tocopherol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Trideceth-12, Salicylic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Magnesium Nitrate, Benzyl Alcohol, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Limonene, Arginine, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Poly(Linseed Oil), Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, CI 14700, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Sorbic Acid, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Sorbate, CI 15510
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium 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 BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideWater. 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