What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingC12-13 Alkyl Methacrylate
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
Antioxidant
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
Cleansing4-Terpineol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-22
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthol
Masking
Sodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Phytate
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Octanediol
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, C12-13 Alkyl Methacrylate, Lauryl Betaine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Butylene Glycol, Glycine Soja Extract, Panthenol, Biotin, Tocopherol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, 4-Terpineol, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-22, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthol, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Phytate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Octanediol, Alcohol Denat., Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauryl Glycol Carboxylate
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract
Masking
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Silt Extract
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Potassium Cocoyl Glutamate
Menthol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Glycol Carboxylate, Alcohol Denat., Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sea Silt Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Potassium Cocoyl Glutamate, Menthol, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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 AcidThis ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Lauramidopropyl Betaine yet.
Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPolyquaternium-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-10Water. 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
