What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientLaureth-23
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCocamide Methyl Mea
Polyquaternium-10
Parfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeIsopropanolamine
BufferingEchinacea Purpurea Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantDaucus Carota Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantMilk Protein Extract
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantCodium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Cocamide Mipa, Lauryl Glucoside, Lauryl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Laureth-23, Caffeine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Polyquaternium-10, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Isopropanolamine, Echinacea Purpurea Callus Culture Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Milk Protein Extract, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Soluble Collagen, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Codium Fragile Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingC12-15 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialLawsonia Inermis Extract
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingAphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Cocamide Mea, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, C12-15 Pareth-3, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Benzoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol, Lawsonia Inermis Extract, Propanediol, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Citric Acid, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Geraniol, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is a popular peptide in skincare. It’s often referred to as a “Botox-like” ingredient because it helps reduce muscle movement.
By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, it’s not as powerful as Botox, and research on its long-term effectiveness is still limited.
Beyond smoothing, Argireline may also support collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm, bouncy, and well-hydrated by strengthening the skin barrier.
So while Argireline isn’t a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a routine focused on both prevention and skin health.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Butylene 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Parfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-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-10Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium 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