What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-39
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingArginine
Masking
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPCA
Humectant
Polyquaternium-10
Carbocysteine
AntiseborrhoeicPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingSerine
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Pantolactone
Humectant
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Coco-Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-39, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Methicone, Aspartic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PCA, Polyquaternium-10, Carbocysteine, PEG-90m, Serine, Sorbic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Pantolactone, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Potassium Sorbate, Glutamic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingGlycine Max Callus Culture
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Echium Lycopsis Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Eucalyptus Dives Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Gold, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycine Max Callus Culture, Limonene, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Echium Lycopsis Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Dives Leaf Oil
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 AcidLauryl Glucoside sugar- and lipid-based cleansing agent. It is created from glucose and lauryl alcohol.
This ingredient is a surfactant, making it easier to rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants away.
A British study found lauryl glucoside to cause skin sensitivity for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Other names for this ingredient include "Lauryl Polyglucose", "Lauryl glycoside", and "D-Glucopyranoside".
Learn more about Lauryl GlucosidePolyquaternium-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-10Sodium 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
