What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeRice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingMethoxy PEG/PPG-7/3 Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningKaempferia Galanga Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningStyrax Benzoin Resin Extract
MaskingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantKeratin
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSucrose Laurate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Methoxy PEG/PPG-7/3 Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Kaempferia Galanga Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Quaternium-95, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Keratin, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate, Propanediol, Citric Acid, PEG-150 Distearate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
EmollientCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingAmodimethicone
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Glycerin
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLaureth-23
CleansingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingAlcohol
AntimicrobialAcetic Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningKaempferia Galanga Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Tetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Benzoate
PreservativeLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamide Mipa, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Parfum, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Coconut Acid, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Amodimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Isethionate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethiconol, Panthenol, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, BHT, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein, Salicylic Acid, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Stearic Acid, Alcohol, Acetic Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Kaempferia Galanga Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Hydroxide, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 AcidDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is below the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 CinnamalWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol yet.
We don't have a description for Kaempferia Galanga Root Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Leontopodium Alpinum Extract yet.
Limonene 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 LimoneneWe don't have a description for Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract yet.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract comes from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera plant.
Moringa seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin hydrating properties. These seeds are rich in oils, proteins, monounsaturated fats, and tocopherols.
As an emollient, moringa seed oil helps trap moisture in the skin by creating a film on top. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Many compounds in moringa seed oil are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These compounds include Vitamin E. , catechins, ferulic acid, and more.
Another compound found in Moringa seed oil is oleic acid.
Moringa trees are native to the Himalayan mountains.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed ExtractPanthenol 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.
We don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate yet.
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 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 Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateWater. 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