What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycereth-26
Humectant
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Cocamidopropylamine Oxide
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-90 Glyceryl Isostearate
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Quaternium-80
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-22
Laureth-2
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingLauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingSodium Sulfate
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycereth-26, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-90 Glyceryl Isostearate, Parfum, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Panthenol, Quaternium-80, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-22, Laureth-2, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride, Decylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Coconut Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Laureth-3, Sodium Sulfate, Benzoic Acid, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Propylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Cinnamal, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Isoeugenol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein
HumectantFumaric Acid
BufferingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantBHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Cocamide Mipa, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Benzophenone-4, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Amyl Cinnamal, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein, Fumaric Acid, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, CI 17200, BHT, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis 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 AlcoholBenzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCitric 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 CitronellolGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLinalool 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
