What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAlpinia Galanga Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSilanetriol
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Zea Mays Starch, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Niacinamide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Alpinia Galanga Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Silanetriol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Methylpropanediol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingLavandula Stoechas Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Phytic Acid
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Steareth-21, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Dimethicone, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Steareth-2, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Citrate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phytic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. 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