What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate
EmollientEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mipa, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Squalane, Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Salicylate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco-Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed
Abrasive
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Babassu Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters
Beta-Caryophyllene
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Phytate
Sodium Sulfate
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Decyl Glucoside, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit, Biotin, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Babassu Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters, Beta-Caryophyllene, Citric Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Inulin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Sulfate, Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCitric 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 GlycerinOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil is from the seed of the Babassu palm plant. This plant is native to Brazil.
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil contains many fatty acids with the most being lauric acid.
Like other plant oils, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil is hydrating and can help soften skin.
It is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off damage from free-radical molecules.
One study found this oil might contain anti-inflammatory properties, but more research is needed.
Learn more about Orbignya Oleifera Seed OilPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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
