What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyacrylate-33
Glycol Distearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Tocopherol, Polyacrylate-33, Glycol Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, Limonene, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientLauric Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPerlite
AbsorbentSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingShea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Phytate
Polyquaternium-7
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Lauric Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Perlite, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycerin, Propanediol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocos Nucifera Water, Panthenol, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Mentha Piperita Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Polyquaternium-7, Menthyl Lactate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 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 LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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 BenzoateSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is a gentle, coconut-derived cleansing surfactant. It's most commonly found in "sulfate-free" cleansers.
As a taurate, it belongs to a class of anionic surfactants prized for being efficient at cleansing without harshness, good performance in hard water, stability across a wide pH range, and easily biodegradable.
It is able to lift away oil and grime and make a nice lather without stripping your skin, so it's a good pick for sensitive skin.
Safety-wise, it has a good record. The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics and concentrations go up to 11% in leave-on products or 13% in rinse-off products.
Despite being derived from coconut oil, this ingredient is fungal acne safe. It's a water-soluble surfactant with no fatty oils or esters left intact on skin for the Malassezia yeast to feed.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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