R & Co Bel Air Smoothing Shampoo + Anti-Oxidant Complex Versus Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodipropionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHibiscus Esculentus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Seed Protein
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPorphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Dimethiconol Panthenol
Propanediol
SolventLaureth-4
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Isopropanolamine
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeFormic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Hibiscus Esculentus Seed Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Oryza Sativa Extract, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Phytic Acid, Panthenol, Cocamide Mipa, Polyquaternium-10, Dimethiconol Panthenol, Propanediol, Laureth-4, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isopropanolamine, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Formic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycereth-26
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHydrogenated Coconut Acid
EmollientCoco-Betaine
CleansingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Amodimethicone
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingArginine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantSerine
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingC12-13 Pareth-23
Cleansing2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Coco-Betaine, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Benzoate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Isethionate, Salicylic Acid, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, C11-15 Pareth-7, Benzoic Acid, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Laureth-9, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Serine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Trideceth-12, C12-13 Pareth-23, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, C12-13 Pareth-3, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Parfum
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 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 BetaineGlycerin (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 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 DistearateParfum 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-10Sodium 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.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium 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.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateWater. 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