What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoamphopropionate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Surfactant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Amodimethicone
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrideceth-10
CleansingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Magnesium Nitrate
Steareth-6
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Trideceth-3
EmulsifyingCitronellol
Perfuming
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Acetic Acid
BufferingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoamphopropionate, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-150 Distearate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Dimethicone, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Amodimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Carbomer, Trideceth-10, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, PEG-100 Stearate, Magnesium Nitrate, Steareth-6, Phenoxyethanol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Trideceth-3, Citronellol, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Acetic Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Rosa Canina Flower Extract
AstringentWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lactic Acid, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Triethyl Citrate, Parfum, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glyceryl Oleate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citral, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Rosa Canina Flower Extract
Reviews
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalWe don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride yet.
Linalool 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 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
