What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSchisandra Chinensis Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingLaureth-20
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-23
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingSodium Xylenesulfonate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Dimethicone, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Callus Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Laureth-20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Laureth-23, Citric Acid, Laureth-4, Caramel, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Poloxamer 407, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-22
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingHexadecene
SolventTetradecene
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantBerberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamide Mipa, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-22, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthol, Hexadecene, Tetradecene, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Malt Extract, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Oil, Arginine, Glycerin, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, 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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
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 LinaloolLycium Chinense Fruit Extract comes from a type of goji berry plant.
Goji berries contain polysaccharides, carotenoids and flavonoids. These give it antioxidant properties that protect your skin from free-radical molecules.
Polysaccharides help hydrate the top layer of skin due to its ability to mimic natural carbohydrates.
Learn more about Lycium Chinense Fruit ExtractParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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 ChlorideWater. 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