What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Moisturising
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Glycinate
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Polyquaternium-7
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Acetic Acid
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Cocamide Mipa, Parfum, Panthenol, Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Biotin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Glycinate, PEG-150 Distearate, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Trideceth-6, C11-15 Pareth-7, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Acetic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Cocoyl Methyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Lipids
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantDimethyl Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningHoney
Humectant
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyquaternium-10
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Larix Kaempferi Root Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCorydalis Ambigua Bark/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Cocoyl Methyl Beta-Alanine, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Lipids, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Dimethyl Lauroyl Lysine, Honey, Coconut Acid, Propanediol, Polyquaternium-10, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Zinc Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Larix Kaempferi Root Bark Extract, Corydalis Ambigua Bark/Root Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Reviews
Alternatives
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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
