What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTrilinolein
Skin ConditioningTriolein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingButeth-3
SolventTributyl Citrate
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaleic Anhydride
Methylene Di-T-Butylcresol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Parfum, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Trilinolein, Triolein, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Maltodextrin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Buteth-3, Tributyl Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Maleic Anhydride, Methylene Di-T-Butylcresol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, BHT, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Laurate
Skin ConditioningLaurylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantPollen Extract
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Gluconolactone, C12-14 Pareth-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Laurylpyridinium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Levulinic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Butylene Glycol, Glycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Pollen Extract, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Myristic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexylene Glycol is a multitasker ingredient that works as a solvent, humectant, emulsifier, viscosity reducer, and preservative booster.
It is able to dissolve both water and oil-soluble ingredients to stabilize tricky actives and make products spread more easily.
As a humectant, it pulls water into the skin. But it's a pretty minor moisturizing ingredient compared to other humectants, like glycerin.
Interestingly, it can act as a mild penetration enhancer. One in vitro study on human skin found a 12% concentration upped the absorption of mometasone furoate (a medicinal ingredient used to treat inflammatory skin conditions) up to 7%.
This ingredient is typically used at levels of 0.1-10% depending on the role it's playing.
A patch test study on eczema patients didn't find a significant increase in irritation versus the control group, but the potential for irritation rises at higher concentrations.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolLauryl Betaine is a cleansing ingredient. You'll most likely see it in face washes, body washes, and shampoos. It's a type of surfactant that helps water mix with oil so dirt, sweat, and sunscreen can rinse off easily.
Chemically, lauryl betaine is an amphoteric surfactant so it carries both a positive and negative charge. This helps it create a creamy foam while being less harsh than stronger detergent-type cleansers.
According to CIR, this ingredient is generally considered safe when used in cosmetics. However, like all surfactants, it can be irritating when used in high amounts of in formulas that aren't well balanced.
Learn more about Lauryl BetainePanthenol 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 ParfumChances 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 ChlorideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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