What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCoconut Acid
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingSodium Isethionate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingVitis Vinifera Vine Sap
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlutaral
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Coconut Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Isethionate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Vine Sap, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitol, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Glutaral, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Carbomer, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCoconut Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-39
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyquaternium-10
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingPinene
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Coconut Acid, Parfum, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Cocamide Mipa, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-39, Sodium Isethionate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyquaternium-10, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Limonene, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Pinene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolWe don't have a description for Cocamide Mipa yet.
Coconut acid is a mixture of fatty acids obtains by hydrolyzing coconut oil and then distilling the fatty acid portion. It works as a cleansing surfactant, emollient, and emulsifier depending on the formulation.
This ingredient is not a single compound but reflects the fatty acid profile of coconut oil itself, which is about 90% saturated.
The dominant fatty acid is lauric acid (44-54%) and then myristic acid (13-19%). There are also small amounts of caprylic, capric, palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
Human testing from CIR has shown no indication this ingredient to be a primary irritant, sensitizer, or phototoxic compound. It's COSMOS-approved for natural and organic products.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Research has confirmed Malassezia can use lauric acid as a food source.
Learn more about Coconut AcidLimonene 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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWe don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate yet.
Water. 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