What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSorbitol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-64
Hydrolyzed Silk Gland Powder
HumectantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Sodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Edtmp
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Paraben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Cocamide Mea, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, PCA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polyquaternium-64, Hydrolyzed Silk Gland Powder, Royal Jelly Extract, Citric Acid, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate, Sodium Edtmp, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Paraben, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientPolyquaternium-72
Glycerin
Humectant
Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Avium Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
PCA
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citric Acid, Parfum, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Polyquaternium-72, Glycerin, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Prunus Avium Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Chloride, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Linoleic Acid, PCA, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Glycine, Alanine, Lecithin, Serine, Valine, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Potassium Sorbate, Amyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
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 AcidWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein yet.
Parfum 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 ParfumPCA is derived from amino acids and is naturally found in our skin's barrier.
As a humectant, PCA helps draw and hold moisture to the skin. Studies show it is effective at helping the skin stay hydrated long-term.
Phenoxyethanol 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
