What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Shea Butter Glycerides
Emulsifying
Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
Masking
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Soyethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglycerin-3, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Shea Butter Glycerides, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethoxydiglycol, Tocopherol, Sodium Gluconate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Alpha-Arbutin, Hyaluronic Acid, Soyethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Xylitol
Humectant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Caprylic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Melanin
Skin ProtectingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xylitol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Caprylic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Trehalose, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Melanin, Sodium Gluconate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateWater. 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
