What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingCreatine
Skin ConditioningSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Threonine
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Methyl Isethionate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Sulfate
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-18 Fatty Acids Methyl Esters
Perfuming
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Zinc Laurate
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Laurate
CleansingUrea
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Creatine, Soy Amino Acids, Wheat Amino Acids, Serine, Threonine, Arginine Hcl, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Citric Acid, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauric Acid, Coconut Acid, Sodium Sulfate, Glycerin, C12-18 Fatty Acids Methyl Esters, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Zinc Laurate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Linalool, Sodium Laurate, Urea, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Propylene Glycol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Glycine, Alanine, Magnesium Aspartate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
PEG/PPG-120/10 Trimethylolpropane Trioleate
Laureth-2
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pisum Sativum Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Prunus Serotina Bark Extract
MaskingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingMagnesium Nitrate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Magnesium Chloride
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Taurine Cocoyl Methyltaurate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, PEG/PPG-120/10 Trimethylolpropane Trioleate, Laureth-2, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Panthenol, Limonene, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Prunus Serotina Bark Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Magnesium Nitrate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Magnesium Chloride, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineParfum 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.
Potassium 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 BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideWater. 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
