What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
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Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearalkonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Distearate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
HumectantMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeFragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentSoymilk
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
SmoothingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Distearate, Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Soymilk, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Biotin, Niacinamide, Benzophenone-4, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Xylenesulfonate
Dimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-6
Histidine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Citrate, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Dimethicone, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-6, Histidine, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidMethylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinonePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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