What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Magnesium Nitrate
Glycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Magnesium Chloride
Tetrasodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Mipa, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Magnesium Nitrate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAcetamide Mea
HumectantMyristamine Oxide
CleansingMagnesium Chloride
Sorbitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Polyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingTetrasodium EDTA
Magnesium Nitrate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeExtracts
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Acetamide Mea, Myristamine Oxide, Magnesium Chloride, Sorbitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Tetrasodium EDTA, Magnesium Nitrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Extracts, CI 60730
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidHexyl 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 CinnamalLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMagnesium chloride is a mineral salt made from magnesium and chloride. It is mainly used to control product stability and texture in cosmetics.
This ingredient can also play a role in soothing the skin and supporting normal skin function.
Magnesium chloride is water-soluble, generally well tolerated, and does not act as a strong “active” ingredient on its own.
Learn more about Magnesium ChlorideWe don't have a description for Magnesium Nitrate yet.
Panthenol 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 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 ChlorideSodium 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 HydroxideTetrasodium 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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water