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
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Isethionate
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCoco-Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Linalool
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingMagnesium Nitrate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativeWater, 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 ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide
Coconut Acid
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Silicone Quaternium-8
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Laurate
CleansingPolyquaternium-44
Tetrasodium EDTA
Magnesium Nitrate
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Sarcosinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Glycolate
BufferingMagnesium Chloride
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialSodium Formate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Lecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSorbic Acid
PreservativeHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Glycol Distearate, Panthenol, Parfum, Citric Acid, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide, Coconut Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Silicone Quaternium-8, Sodium Isethionate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Laurate, Polyquaternium-44, Tetrasodium EDTA, Magnesium Nitrate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Sodium Sarcosinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Glycolate, Magnesium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Formate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Hydroxycitronellal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene
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 BetaineCoconut Acid isn't fungal acne safe.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycol 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 DistearateHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract comes from sunflower seeds.
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E. Studies show sunflowers contain antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed ExtractLimonene 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 LimoneneWe 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.
Polyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWe don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate yet.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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