What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Keratin
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingRice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingSodium Phytate
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Coconut Acid
EmollientSodium Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantIsopropanolamine
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingDextran
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantGlycine
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Keratin, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Sodium Phytate, Cocamide Mipa, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Isopropanolamine, Coconut Acid, Dextran, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycine, Gluconolactone, Zinc Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPropanediol
SolventArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetum
Niacinamide
SmoothingArginine
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
Glycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-73
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Lactic Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Acetum, Niacinamide, Arginine, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-73, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Lactic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Gluconate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 “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.
Potassium 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 BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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