What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearates
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-20
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCanola Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearates, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Oligopeptide-20, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Canola Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Erythritol
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglucuronic Acid
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Erythritol, Sodium Gluconate, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Sodium Citrate, Polyglucuronic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
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 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateWater. 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
