What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingChenopodium Quinoa Seed
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientVanillin
MaskingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Coco-Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed, Panthenol, Squalane, Vanillin, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Sarcosinate
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide
Parfum
MaskingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingSilicone Quaternium-8
Polyquaternium-7
Laureth-3
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyquaternium-44
Xylityl Sesquicaprylate
AntimicrobialSodium Laurate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Sarcosinate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide, Parfum, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glyceryl Oleate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Laureth-4, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Silicone Quaternium-8, Polyquaternium-7, Laureth-3, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyquaternium-44, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Sodium Laurate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogen Peroxide, Benzoic Acid, Anhydroxylitol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
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 AcidCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Coco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideLimonene 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 LimonenePanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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