What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
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Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
MoisturisingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Glycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Glycinate
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingPropoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAcetic Acid
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, 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 Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Valine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSilicone Quaternium-8
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyquaternium-7
Glycerin
HumectantSodium Laurate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-44
Coconut Acid
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Isethionate
CleansingMagnesium Nitrate
PCA
HumectantSodium Sarcosinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Glycolate
BufferingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Formate
BufferingQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberC12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Panthenol, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Silicone Quaternium-8, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyquaternium-7, Glycerin, Sodium Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-44, Coconut Acid, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Isethionate, Magnesium Nitrate, PCA, Sodium Sarcosinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Glycolate, C11-15 Pareth-7, Sodium Formate, Quaternium-95, C12-16 Pareth-9, Propanediol, Trideceth-12, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxycitronellal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene
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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.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholAnother name for this ingredient is C11-15 Alketh-7. It has emulsifying and surfactant properties, meaning it helps keep ingredients together in a formula.
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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene 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 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.
Polyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water