What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPropanediol
SolventCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Polyquaternium-80
CleansingBis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingCoconut Acid
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyimide-1
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlgin
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyquaternium-80, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Coconut Acid, Cocamide Mipa, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyimide-1, Chlorphenesin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Polyquaternium-7, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sarcosine, Pisum Sativum Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citral, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingLaureth-5 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingAminopropyl Triethoxysilane
Amodimethicone
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Geraniol
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingIsoeugenol
PerfumingLactic Acid
BufferingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePiroctone Olamine
PreservativePolyquaternium-67
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantRhamnose
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane, Amodimethicone, Caramel, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, C11-15 Pareth-7, Disodium EDTA, Geraniol, Glycerin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Isoeugenol, Lactic Acid, Laureth-9, Limonene, Linalool, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthol, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Piroctone Olamine, Polyquaternium-67, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Propylene Glycol, Rhamnose, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-12, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric 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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolChances 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 ChlorideSodium 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