What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Corn Starch Modified
AbsorbentSilanetriol
Potassium Citrate
BufferingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantZea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantPullulan
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Aqua
HumectantWater, Isodecyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, PEG-40 Stearate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Mica, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, CI 77891, Silica, Sclerotium Gum, Lysolecithin, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Glycolic Acid, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Corn Starch Modified, Silanetriol, Potassium Citrate, Zea Mays Starch, Citric Acid, CI 16035, Zea Mays Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Pullulan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Allantoin, Fructose, Niacinamide, Beta-Carotene, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Maris Aqua
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycogen
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Cetearyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Propanediol, Glycogen, Sodium Gluconate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Ferulate, Humulus Lupulus 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.
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
