What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylalanine
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientLaureth-11 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Glycerin
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningLanolin Acid
CleansingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBis-Methoxypropylamido Isodocosane
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantMalic Acid
BufferingGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingLauroyl Sarcosine
CleansingArginine
MaskingAsparagus Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingPCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Cocamide
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventPolyquaternium-52
Polyquaternium-67
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningStearoxypropyl Dimethylamine
Laureth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDiethyl Sebacate
EmollientIsodecyl Glyceryl Ether
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylalanine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Myristyl Alcohol, Laureth-11 Carboxylic Acid, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Glycerin, Lauric Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Hydrolyzed Silk, Lanolin Acid, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Bis-Methoxypropylamido Isodocosane, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Malic Acid, Gamma-Docosalactone, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide Ng, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethanolamine, Lauroyl Sarcosine, Arginine, Asparagus Officinalis Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Cocamide Mea, PPG-2 Cocamide, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Polyquaternium-52, Polyquaternium-67, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Stearoxypropyl Dimethylamine, Laureth-16, Sodium Hydroxide, Diethyl Sebacate, Isodecyl Glyceryl Ether, Sodium Benzoate, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMenthol
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLauryl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyquaternium-7
Disodium EDTA
Myristyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCuscuta Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAnacardium Occidentale Extract
EmollientSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicParfum
MaskingWater, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Menthol, Cocamide Mea, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Lauryl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Ammonium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Malt Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Niacinamide, Polyquaternium-7, Disodium EDTA, Myristyl Alcohol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Stearyl Alcohol, CI 17200, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cuscuta Japonica Seed Extract, Anacardium Occidentale Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Biotin, Parfum
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidThis ingredient is made by combining the fatty acids from coconut oil with monoethanolamine. It is an emulsifier that helps boost foam, thicken texture, and help keep ingredients together in a formula.
This 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 ChlorideMyristyl Alcohol is type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
As an emollient, myristyl alcohol hydrates the skin by trapping moisture in.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols.
The FDA allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Myristyl AlcoholNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideParfum 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.
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 BenzoateStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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