What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Surfactant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCocamide Methyl Mea
Foam Boosting
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingCitronellol
Perfuming
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingPCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Glycerophosphate
Serine
Masking
Potassium Magnesium Aspartate
BufferingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningUric Acid
BufferingCysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-47, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-7, Myristyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citronellol, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Arginine, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Polyquaternium-10, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, PCA, Lactic Acid, Glucose, Glycine, Urea, Sodium Glycerophosphate, Serine, Potassium Magnesium Aspartate, Leucine, Alanine, Calcium Gluconate, Lysine, Magnesium Gluconate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Valine, Isoleucine, Creatine, Uric Acid, Cysteine, Methionine
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Shale Extract
EmollientBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPulmonaria Officinalis Extract
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitol, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Shale Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Pulmonaria Officinalis Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
