What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMaltitol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Salicylate
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingClimbazole
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentMadecassoside
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientPotassium Chloride
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantTorreya Nucifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Sorbitol, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Caffeine, Maltitol, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Climbazole, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Dextrin, Madecassoside, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Potassium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Torreya Nucifera Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantTaurine
BufferingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-2 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Sulfate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Laurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-11, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Taurine, Royal Jelly Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, PEG-2 Laurate, Sodium Sulfate, Dipropylene Glycol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCamellia Japonica Seed Oil comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil is rich in oleic acid. This makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe the skin by forming a barrier. This barrier traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydated.
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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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-10Chances 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 ChlorideThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateTocopherol (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