What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mannitol
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Potassium Laurate
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Dextrin
AbsorbentLimonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingProtease
Exfoliating
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Water
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mannitol, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Silica, Potassium Laurate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Betaine, Allantoin, Kaolin, Dextrin, Limonene, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Metaphosphate, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Protease, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Citral, Water, Linalool, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Dextrin
AbsorbentMaltitol
HumectantSilica
Abrasive
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Starch
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Protease
Exfoliating
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lipase
Skin ConditioningKinetin
Skin ConditioningPhosphoric Acid
BufferingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Junos Peel Oil
Astringent
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Zea Mays Starch, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Dextrin, Maltitol, Silica, Maltodextrin, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Water, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Juice, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Protease, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Phosphate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Lipase, Kinetin, Phosphoric Acid, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cyclodextrins are ring-shaped sugar molecules made from starch. It is used to stabilize, protect, and slowly release active ingredients.
This ingredient can help prevent oxidation, reduce irritation from strong actives, and make certain ingredients absorb better once applied.
Once applied to your skin, enzymes gradually break down the cyclodextrin "ring"; this releases the active ingredient in a controlled way.
Learn more about CyclodextrinDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinThis ingredient comes from the evergreen flowering plant, gardenia. It has skin conditioning properties.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidThis ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
These enzymes break down protein into smaller peptides and amino acids. They also encourage the formation of new protein.
Our skin uses peptides, amino acids, and protein for maintaining healthy skin cells.
Protease work by breaking peptide bonds in protein with hydrolysis. This is the process of breaking bonds using water.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found a blend of 3-protease decreases skin inflammation by mitigating the effects of other proteins.
One manufacturer that uses subtilisin, a protease from Bacillus subtilis, claims this ingredient is exfoliating, promotes cell regeneration, and is a good substitute for AHAs. Further research is needed to back up these claims.
Fun fact: The human body contains ~641 protease genes.
Learn more about ProteaseSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterZea Mays Starch is starch made from corn. You might know this as cornstarch . It is used to thicken a product. It can replace talc as an absorbent.
The pH of cornstarch is 5.92.
Cornstarch is a common food ingredient used to thicken soups or to make corn syrup.
Learn more about Zea Mays Starch
