What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingGluconolactone
Chelating
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantSodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Seedcake
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Calcium Pantothenate
Magnesium Salicylate
Preservative
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
PCA Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Oil
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Santalum Spicatum Wood Oil
Perfuming
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Myroxylon Balsamum Resin
Masking
Myroxylon Pereirae Resin Extract
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingCitric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Seedcake, Phospholipids, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Calcium Pantothenate, Magnesium Salicylate, Zinc Gluconate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, PCA Glyceryl Oleate, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Santalum Spicatum Wood Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Myroxylon Balsamum Resin, Myroxylon Pereirae Resin Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Bisabolol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Xylitol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Salicylic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Glycerin, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Xylitol, Xanthan Gum, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolCitric 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 AcidLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside
