What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingParfum
MaskingAmodimethicone
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
AntioxidantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingArginine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSerine
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCoumarin
PerfumingSodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, CI 60730, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, BHT, Trideceth-6, Linalool, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cetrimonium Chloride, Coumarin, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSilk Amino Acids
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantMalachite Extract
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLoeselia Mexicana Leaf Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientAmodimethicone
Parfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Benzoic Acid
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingC12-14 Sec-Pareth-5
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingAcetic Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantGeraniol
PerfumingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
DMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Keratin Amino Acids, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Malachite Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Loeselia Mexicana Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Amodimethicone, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Benzoic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-5, PEG-150 Distearate, Citronellol, Acetic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Geraniol, CI 60730, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, CI 42090, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, CI 17200, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
This ingredient is a purple dye. It is also known as Violet No. 2 or Acid Violet 43 and is a synthetic dye derived from coal tar.
According to a manufacturer, this dye it known for its intense color saturation and resistance to fading.
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 AcidGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateLinalool 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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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-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 ChlorideSodium 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