What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Squalane
EmollientSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingBetaine
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarnosine
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingErgothioneine
AntioxidantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantLactoferrin
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMannitol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Squalane, Sodium Ascorbate, Ubiquinone, Ectoin, Physalis Angulata Extract, Betaine, Phosphatidylcholine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carnosine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ergothioneine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Lactoferrin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Mannitol, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPrunus Avium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientYucca Filamentosa Root Extract
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentHoney
HumectantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnesium Sulfate
Niacinamide
SmoothingZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCI 75810
Cosmetic ColorantEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentTapioca Starch
Thioctic Acid
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Algae Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Rose Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Yucca Filamentosa Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Honey, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Water, Mannitol, Tocopherol, Magnesium Sulfate, Niacinamide, Zinc Sulfate, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Ferulic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, CI 75810, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Tapioca Starch, Thioctic Acid, Glycerin
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilMannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol 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 Water