What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingIsosteareth-200 Linoleate
EmollientSodium Sulfate
Glycerin
HumectantSilicone Quaternium-3
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberButeth-3
SolventTributyl Citrate
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingAcacia Dealbata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeMagnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Chloride
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingMoonstone Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Glycol Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, PEG-150 Distearate, Isosteareth-200 Linoleate, Sodium Sulfate, Glycerin, Silicone Quaternium-3, Trideceth-12, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth-3, Tributyl Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Acacia Dealbata Flower Extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Moonstone Extract, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningEntada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantManganese PCA
HumectantPolyamide-2
Citric Acid
BufferingTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSilicone Quaternium-3
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzisothiazolinone
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Hexamethylindanopyran
MaskingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Parfum, Glycol Distearate, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Entada Phaseoloides Bark/Seed Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Manganese PCA, Polyamide-2, Citric Acid, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, PEG-150 Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Silicone Quaternium-3, Polysorbate 20, Trideceth-12, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzisothiazolinone, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Hexamethylindanopyran, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool
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 BetaineGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateThis ingredient is derived from guar gum.
It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.
Limonene 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 ParfumPeg-150 Distearate is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It is created from stearic acid.
As an emulsifier, peg-150 distearate helps other ingredients dissolve. This helps prevent ingredient separation.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 DistearateSilicone Quaternium-3 is a type of silicone.
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 cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Chances 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 ChlorideSodium Lauroyl Lactylate is the lauric acid sodium salt of lactyl lactate.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is an emulsifier and surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally. Surfactants reduce surface tension, making it easier to rinse pollutants off skin.
Due to its relation to lauric acid, it may provide antimicrobial benefits.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl LactylateWe don't have a description for Trideceth-12 yet.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water