What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantJuglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasiveCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocos Nucifera Shell Powder
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantDimethicone Propyl Pg-Betaine
CleansingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocos Nucifera Shell Powder, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Dimethicone Propyl Pg-Betaine, Sodium Salicylate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Linalool, Citric Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Limonene, Citronellol, Citral, Eugenol, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Geraniol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Laureth-8 Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeZinc Pyrithione
AntiseborrhoeicAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeClimbazole
AntimicrobialSodium Oleth Sulfate
CleansingMagnesium Laureth-8 Sulfate
CleansingMagnesium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingParfum
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingMagnesium Oleth Sulfate
CleansingPropylparaben
PreservativePolyquaternium-10
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialFormic Acid
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingGlucose
HumectantDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
BufferingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBetula Alba Juice
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentBetula Alba Leaf Extract
AstringentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCalcium Pantothenate
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantTartaric Acid
BufferingInositol
HumectantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, PEG-3 Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Pyrithione, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Piroctone Olamine, Climbazole, Sodium Oleth Sulfate, Magnesium Laureth-8 Sulfate, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, Parfum, Methylparaben, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Magnesium Oleth Sulfate, Propylparaben, Polyquaternium-10, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Ethoxydiglycol, Benzyl Salicylate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Alcohol, Formic Acid, Citronellol, Glucose, DMDM Hydantoin, Cellulose Gum, Lactic Acid, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Betula Alba Juice, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Alcohol Denat., Calcium Pantothenate, CI 42090, Caramel, CI 19140, Tartaric Acid, Inositol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineLinalool 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 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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