What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingLaureth-7 Citrate
CleansingLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-10
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningFormic Acid
Preservative
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Parfum, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Laureth-7 Citrate, Laureth-4, Piroctone Olamine, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-10, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Maris Sal, Formic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Biotin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Menthol
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
Perfuming
PEG-45m
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Panax Ginseng Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, Parfum, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Caffeine, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Menthol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Citrate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Malt Extract, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, PEG-45m, Glyceryl Stearate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Caprylyl Glycol, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Panax Ginseng Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Silica, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be bad for dry skin, be bad for oily skin, and cause irritation.
Citric 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexyl 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 “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.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
