What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLaureth-5 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingSilicone Quaternium-3
Amodimethicone
Glycereth-26
HumectantCoconut Acid
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Isethionate
CleansingParfum
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-59
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPCA
HumectantCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract
MaskingHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Silicone Quaternium-3, Amodimethicone, Glycereth-26, Coconut Acid, Cocamide Mipa, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Isethionate, Parfum, Propanediol, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-12, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-59, Glycerin, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PCA, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Phenoxyethanol, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientSodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Methyl Isethionate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientLauric Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Citric Acid
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingAmodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Olea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Laurate
CleansingTrideceth-5
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Coco-Glucoside, Parfum, Glyceryl Oleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenethyl Benzoate, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Coconut Acid, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Lauric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Isethionate, Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Laurate, Trideceth-5, Glyceryl Stearate, Limonene, CI 60730, CI 60725, CI 19140, CI 61570
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 AcidCoconut acid is a mixture of fatty acids obtains by hydrolyzing coconut oil and then distilling the fatty acid portion. It works as a cleansing surfactant, emollient, and emulsifier depending on the formulation.
This ingredient is not a single compound but reflects the fatty acid profile of coconut oil itself, which is about 90% saturated.
The dominant fatty acid is lauric acid (44-54%) and then myristic acid (13-19%). There are also small amounts of caprylic, capric, palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
Human testing from CIR has shown no indication this ingredient to be a primary irritant, sensitizer, or phototoxic compound. It's COSMOS-approved for natural and organic products.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Research has confirmed Malassezia can use lauric acid as a food source.
Learn more about Coconut 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 GlycerinGlycol 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 DistearateLimonene 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 LimonenePanthenol 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 ParfumSodium 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 cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium 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 HydroxideWe don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate yet.
Water. 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