What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPCA
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Cocamide Mipa, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Polyquaternium-7, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hyaluronic Acid, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Niacinamide, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, PCA, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzophenone-4, Cocamide Mipa, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Polyquaternium-7, Polysorbate 20, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, 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.
We don't have a description for Cocamide Mipa yet.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
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 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 SulfonateWater. 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