What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingHc Blue No. 2
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering2-Amino-6-Chloro-4-Nitrophenol
Citric Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingZinc PCA
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopherol
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCitronellol
PerfumingMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-3 Distearate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Caffeine, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Polyquaternium-7, Phosphoric Acid, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Hc Blue No. 2, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Hydroxide, 2-Amino-6-Chloro-4-Nitrophenol, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Limonene, Zinc PCA, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Glycine Soja Oil, Citronellol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingMentha Citrata Leaf Extract
AstringentMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingFoeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialMelissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
SoothingViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Sodium Chloride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Alcohol Denat., Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Mentha Citrata Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, 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 AcidLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolChances 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 ChlorideWe don't have a description for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate yet.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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