What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Isethionate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-7
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Surfactant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyquaternium-10
Linalool
Perfuming
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Magnesium Nitrate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Coconut Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Isethionate, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Linalool, Carbomer, Benzoic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Geraniol, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzophenone-4, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-22
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pisum Sativum Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamide Mipa, Parfum, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Polyquaternium-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-22, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Dipropylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Ceramide EOP, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol
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 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.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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-10Chances 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
