What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingAcrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Bis-Hydroxyethylglycinate Coco-Glucosides Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Acetum
Polyquaternium-7
Parfum
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Bis-Hydroxyethylglycinate Coco-Glucosides Crosspolymer, Acetum, Polyquaternium-7, Parfum, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-150 Distearate
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Ethyltrimonium Chloride Methacrylate/Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Copolymer
Parfum
Masking
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Lauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Ethyltrimonium Chloride Methacrylate/Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Copolymer, Parfum, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateWe don't have a description for Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate yet.
Water. 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
