What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingBetaine
HumectantCeteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Apium Graveolens Seed Extract
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitral
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGlycol Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate
EmollientLaureth-3
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMaleic Acid
BufferingOleth-10
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-22
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Zingiber Zerumbet Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Betaine, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citral, Citric Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Coconut Acid, Parfum, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycol Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate, Laureth-3, Limonene, Linalool, Maleic Acid, Oleth-10, Polyquaternium-22, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Zingiber Zerumbet Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCeteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Lecithin
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSd Alcohol 38-B
AstringentSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantVinegar
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Parfum, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Lecithin, Limonene, Linalool, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol, CI 17200, Sd Alcohol 38-B, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol, Vinegar
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol yet.
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 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-GlucosideDecyl 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 GlucosideGlyceryl Oleate is the ester of glycerin and oleic acid. This ingredient is mainly an emollient and emulsifier.
Emollients soften and hydrate the skin by creating a thin film on top to trap in moisture. As an emulsifier, glyceryl oleate helps stabilize formulations by preventing ingredients such as oil and water from separating. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps helps thicken water-in-oil formulations, shower gels, and hair shampoos.
In some products, this ingredient may be used as a fragrance / perfuming ingredient. The scent of this ingredient is described to be "waxy".
Glyceryl oleate is created from oils rich in oleic acid, such as peanut oil and olive oil.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Glyceryl OleateLimonene 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 BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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