What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHoney
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantRoyal Jelly
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientShea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientZymomonas Ferment Extract
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantHoney Extract
HumectantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPPG-7
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCerebrosides
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-47, Menthol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Honey, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, CI 19140, Butylene Glycol, Royal Jelly, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Diisostearyl Malate, Zymomonas Ferment Extract, Alcohol, CI 60730, Honey Extract, CI 17200, PPG-7, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Hydrolyzed Collagen Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate, Coco-Glucoside, Royal Jelly Extract, Polyquaternium-61, Keratin, Propolis Extract, Cerebrosides, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSoluble Collagen
HumectantSqualane
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingKeratin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-7
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMenthol
MaskingParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningWater, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Panthenol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Soluble Collagen, Squalane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Keratin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Arginine, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, PPG-7, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Menthol, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-47
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinKeratin is a protein naturally found in our hair and skin.
In haircare, it has been shown to seal broken cuticles. This can help prevent breakage and split ends.
We don't have a description for Lauramidopropyl Betaine yet.
Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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 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.
Polyquaternium-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-10We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-47 yet.
We don't have a description for PPG-7 yet.
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 BenzoateSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWe don't have a description for Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate 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