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
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingParfum
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingMenthol
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingClimbazole
AntimicrobialPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-11
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLaureth-23
CleansingLaureth-3
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Water
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Parfum, Caffeine, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Menthol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Metaphosphate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Climbazole, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Polyquaternium-11, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Stearate, Linalool, Limonene, Laureth-23, Laureth-3, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Carbomer, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Thuja Orientalis Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Propanediol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Reviews
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
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 GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Methyl Mea yet.
This ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLaureth-23 is created by reacting ethylene oxide with Lauryl Alcohol.
It is a cleansing ingredient. This means it helps lift oils and dirt so they may be rinsed away with water.
The 23 refers to the number of repeating ethylene oxides in the molecule.
Learn more about Laureth-23Parfum 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 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