What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Carvone
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Pinene
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caffeine, Azelaic Acid, Linalyl Acetate, Carvone, Pentylene Glycol, Linalool, Limonene, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citral, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Pinene, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetum
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-73
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Acetum, Niacinamide, Arginine, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-73, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Lactic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Gluconate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineLimonene 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 LinaloolLinalyl Acetate is the acetate ester of linalool and can be naturally found in many flowers and spice plants.
This ingredient is often used to add a scent or mask an unpleasant one in products.
Linalyl acetate is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to fish.
Learn more about Linalyl AcetateParfum 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
