What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Amaranth Protein
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingTetrasodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-10
Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Citric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingMagnesium Nitrate
C12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingGlyoxal
AntimicrobialMagnesium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Cocamide Mipa, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-10, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, C11-15 Pareth-7, Magnesium Nitrate, C12-16 Pareth-9, Trideceth-12, Glyoxal, Magnesium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Myreth Sulfate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingAlgae Extract
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-3 Dioleoylamidoethylmonium Methosulfate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Sulfate
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingC12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingMagnesium Nitrate
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Cocamide Mipa, Alcohol Denat., Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Isoceteth-20, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Algae Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Polyquaternium-10, Trideceth-12, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-3 Dioleoylamidoethylmonium Methosulfate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Triethyl Citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Sulfate, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Pareth-9, Magnesium Nitrate, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Another name for this ingredient is C11-15 Alketh-7. It has emulsifying and surfactant properties, meaning it helps keep ingredients together in a formula.
We don't have a description for C12-16 Pareth-9 yet.
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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Mipa 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 BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl 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 CinnamalWe don't have a description for Magnesium Nitrate yet.
Methylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Chances 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
We don't have a description for Trideceth-12 yet.
Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone (don't worry, we cannot pronounce this either) is a siloxane polymer. Siloxane polymers are widely used as antimicrobials and texture enhancer. This ingredient is synthetically created.
As a silicone, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone helps hydrate and smooth the skin. It can also be found in hair care products.
Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone is described as "non-greasy" and "silky".
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxyamodimethiconeWater. 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