What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco-Sulfate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingIsopentane
SolventCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingIsobutane
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Isopentane, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Parfum, Isobutane, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Coumarin, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycol Distearate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfate
Laureth-2
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Coumarin
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Parfum, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycol Distearate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfate, Laureth-2, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Disodium EDTA, Coumarin, Benzyl Salicylate, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Benzoic Acid, Sodium Sulfite, Maltodextrin, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, CI 14700, CI 60730
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 AcidCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexyl 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 CinnamalParfum 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water