What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialMethylpropanediol
SolventAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingSqualane
EmollientOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientPullulan
Resveratrol Dimethyl Ether
AntioxidantSclareolide
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Squalane, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Resveratrol Dimethyl Ether, Sclareolide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Ceteareth-25, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Metabisulfite
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhenoxyethanol 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
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 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