What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Taurate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingTea-Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingMyristyl Betaine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantHoney
HumectantArginine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientShea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantGluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPPG-7
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingHoney Extract
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingKeratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMagnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Chloride
Water, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Taurate, Glycerin, Cocamide DEA, Tea-Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, Myristyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-47, Menthol, Caramel, Honey, Arginine, Panthenol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Butylene Glycol, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, PPG-7, Acacia Senegal Gum, Honey Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Royal Jelly Extract, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Propolis Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningMaltitol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Salicylate
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPolyquaternium-7
Benzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingClimbazole
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLaureth-23
CleansingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Alcohol
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentArginine
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantOleic Acid
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingLinoleic Acid
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitol
HumectantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Dimethicone, Lauryl Glucoside, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sorbitol, Caffeine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trihydroxystearin, Maltitol, Sodium Benzoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyquaternium-7, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Climbazole, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Laureth-23, Laureth-3, Glyceryl Stearate, Citronellol, Limonene, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Dextrin, Arginine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Propanediol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Oleic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Cholesterol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Xylitol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycerinParfum 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 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 SulfonateWater. 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