What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingTetrasodium EDTA
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMel
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Salicylate, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Glycol Distearate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Coco-Glucoside, Tetrasodium EDTA, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Mel, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 16255, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Glycol Distearate
EmollientPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingLaureth-2
CleansingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Parfum, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Glycol Distearate, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Laureth-2, Hexyl Cinnamal, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, BHT, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Sulfite, Hydrolyzed Silk, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, CI 14700, CI 19140, CI 17200
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Citric 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 AcidGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't 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 CinnamalParfum 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 ParfumPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate isn't fungal acne safe.
We don't have a description for PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide yet.
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 BenzoateChances 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 Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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