What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Taurate
CleansingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycereth-26
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Isethionate
CleansingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Amodimethicone
Coco-Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Propylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Linalool
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Nitrate
C12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberTetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Taurate, Sarcosine, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Coconut Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Isethionate, Parfum, Citric Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Amodimethicone, Coco-Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Propylene Glycol, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Linalool, Carbomer, C11-15 Pareth-7, Benzoic Acid, Laureth-9, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Limonene, Geraniol, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Trideceth-12, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Magnesium Nitrate, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Benzophenone-4, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, CI 60730, CI 60725, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sorbic Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Myreth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLaureth-10
EmulsifyingTriethylene Glycol
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-5 Cocomonium Methosulfate
Sodium Glutamate
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Casein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeMagnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Chloride
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Parfum, Cocamide Mea, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Laureth-10, Triethylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-5 Cocomonium Methosulfate, Sodium Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Casein, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric 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 Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateWe don't have a description for Magnesium Chloride yet.
We don't have a description for Magnesium Nitrate yet.
MCI is a preservative and known skin-irritant. It has anti-bacteria anti-fungal properties.
Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient to cause skin irritation and allergies.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI). Other names for this mixture include Kathon CG and Euxyl K 100.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Trade names for this combination include Kathon CG or Euxyl K 100.
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water