What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningParachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides
Skin ProtectingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingTribehenin
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPfaffia Paniculata Root Extract
SoothingPtychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantSteareth-20
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Isostearate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Parachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Ceramide Ng, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract, Ptychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phospholipids, Ceteareth-20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Aminomethyl Propanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Steareth-20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBellis Perennis Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant3-O-Cetyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
AntioxidantHieracium Pilosella Extract
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveLinolenic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingMethyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantIsododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPolysilicone-11
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Glycerin, Bellis Perennis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Chloride, Triethylhexanoin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Cetyl Ascorbic Acid, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Hieracium Pilosella Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Methyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate, Tocopherol, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polysilicone-11, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, Mica
Reviews
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
Itβs a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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