What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
PEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingEthyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentSilanetriol
Potassium Citrate
BufferingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantPullulan
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningFraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBeta-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
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycogen
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantHumulus 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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 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 (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. 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