What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoamphopropionate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
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
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 Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingCassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningPhytantriol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Polyquaternium-47, Phytantriol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Jojoba Esters, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene
Alternatives
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 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 glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycol 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 DistearateHexyl 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 CinnamalLinalool 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 BenzoateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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
