What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSericin
Skin ConditioningCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientOrbignya Cohune Seed Oil
Ceramide Ng
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-59
UV AbsorberPolyquaternium-7
Amodimethicone
Lauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycol Stearate
EmollientPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPei-10
C20-40 Pareth-10
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Behenamidopropyl Dimonium Chloride
PEG-40/PPG-8 Methylaminopropyl/Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sericin, Cocamide Mea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Orbignya Cohune Seed Oil, Ceramide Ng, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-59, Polyquaternium-7, Amodimethicone, Lauryl Laurate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycol Stearate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trideceth-12, Pei-10, C20-40 Pareth-10, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethyl Behenamidopropyl Dimonium Chloride, PEG-40/PPG-8 Methylaminopropyl/Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Benzoic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycereth-26
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAmodimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeHibiscus Esculentus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Mea, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Carbomer, Coco-Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, C11-15 Pareth-7, Benzoic Acid, Glycerin, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Benzyl Alcohol, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sorbic Acid, Hibiscus Esculentus Seed Extract, Parfum
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
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidCitric 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Mea yet.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideThis ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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.
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 HydroxideSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is an organic salt with a naturally sweet odor. It is an alternative to traditional sulfates and is commonly found in "sulfate-free" products.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is used to increase the volume of foam, emulsify ingredients, and as a cleansing agent.
As a cleansing agent, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate helps reduce the surface tension of dirt, oil, and other pollutants so they can be rinsed away easily.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review found this ingredient to irritate the eyes and skin in concentrations of 0.18% and 0.7%.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfoacetateWe don't have a description for Trideceth-12 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water