What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMenthol
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingPEG-45m
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePanax Ginseng Extract
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, Parfum, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Caffeine, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Menthol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Citrate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Malt Extract, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, PEG-45m, Glyceryl Stearate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Caprylyl Glycol, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Panax Ginseng Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Silica, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPropanediol
SolventTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantQuaternium-33
Gamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAcetyl Cysteine
AntioxidantKeratin
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingCeramide 6 Ii
Skin ConditioningIsomalt
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Hydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
CleansingGlyoxylic Acid
BufferingCetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientOenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil
EmollientSchinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
EmollientPouteria Sapota Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningChenopodium Quinoa Seed Oil
EmollientCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Lactate
BufferingIsostearic Acid
CleansingSodium Lauraminopropionate
CleansingCholesterol
EmollientSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveArgania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDicocodimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingQuaternium-18
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAlcohol
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLactic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantGold
Cosmetic ColorantSilver
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Quaternium-33, Gamma-Docosalactone, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Cysteine, Keratin, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Collagen, Ceramide 6 Ii, Isomalt, Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glyoxylic Acid, Cetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Ceramide Ng, Glycine Soja Sterols, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Dimethiconol, Sodium Lactate, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Lauraminopropionate, Cholesterol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Steartrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dicocodimonium Chloride, Quaternium-18, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Caramel, Gold, Silver
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water