What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Menthol
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
Perfuming
PEG-45m
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Panax Ginseng Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
Emulsifying
Polygonum 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 ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Menthol
Masking
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Selenium Sulfide
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Reviews
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 AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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 BenzoateSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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
