What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantMenthol
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polysorbate 20, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Menthol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Chondrus Crispus Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingInulin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialAgave Americana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb Oil
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium Mangoamphoacetate
CleansingGeraniol
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitral
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Coco-Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Inulin, Citric Acid, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Propylene Glycol, Limonene, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Agave Americana Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb Oil, Linalool, Sodium Mangoamphoacetate, Geraniol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Butylene Glycol, Citral, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholButylene 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 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 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene 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 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