What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingTrehalose
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyquaternium-7
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningWater, Sorbitol, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Trehalose, Niacinamide, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-7, Butylene Glycol, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Lactococcus Ferment, Lactobacillus
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingBetaine
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Fructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Maltose
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Sulfate
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Betaine, Citric Acid, Fructose, Glucose, Glycerin, Glyceryl Laurate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maltose, Panthenol, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Sulfate, Sphingolipids, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Urea, P-Anisic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
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 AcidParfum 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.
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 BenzoateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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
