What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
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Benefits
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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 ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAmodimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSteareth-6
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingPotassium Dimethicone PEG-7 Panthenyl Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Sarcosinate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPEG-45m
HumectantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantAcetic Acid
BufferingFumaric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Amodimethicone, Carbomer, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-10, Salicylic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Citric Acid, Mica, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-6, Trideceth-3, Potassium Dimethicone PEG-7 Panthenyl Phosphate, CI 77891, Sodium Sarcosinate, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Coumarin, Linalool, PEG-45m, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Caramel, Acetic Acid, Fumaric Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide
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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.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCitric 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 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 DistearateHexyl 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.
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 SorbateSodium 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