What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cucurbita Pepo
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Honey
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentMyristica Fragrans Powder
MaskingCinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Honey, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Tocopherol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycolic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Myristica Fragrans Powder, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Water, Citrus Grandis Peel, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phytic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron Oxides, Jojoba Esters, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate is a modified starch used to help thicken a product.
It is also used in foods.
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 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 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
