What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
C13-15 Alkane
SolventGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, C13-15 Alkane, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide
EmulsifyingLauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingAmodimethicone
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyquaternium-7
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Trideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Cleansing
Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters
Cleansing
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silicone Quaternium-22
Sorbitol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Quaternium-95
UV AbsorberCitric Acid
Buffering
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acetic Acid
BufferingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Passiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Santalum Album Extract
CleansingAmber Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Vegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract
Perfuming
Oryza Sativa Seed Protein
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Phytic Acid
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantLimonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamide Mipa, Dimethicone, Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Glycerin, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Coconut Acid, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Amodimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Isethionate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyquaternium-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Panthenol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, BHT, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silicone Quaternium-22, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Quaternium-95, Citric Acid, Caffeine, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acetic Acid, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Bromelain, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Niacinamide, Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Santalum Album Extract, Amber Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Tin Oxide, Potassium Sorbate, Vegetable Amino Acids, Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phytic Acid, Oryza Sativa Extract, Citrulline, Gluconolactone, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Biotin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, CI 77891
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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChloridePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolyquaternium-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 Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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
