What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
CleansingParfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningAmyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Linalool, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Amyl Cinnamal, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tilia Tomentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Allyl Ether
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingSodium Methyl Isethionate
EmulsifyingSodium Isethionate
CleansingLauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
EmollientCalcium Gluconate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Laurate
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Panthenol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Tilia Tomentosa Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Biotin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PEG-12 Allyl Ether, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Parfum, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Isethionate, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Calcium Gluconate, Gluconolactone, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Laurate, Propanediol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Lauric Acid, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene 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 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
