What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Urea
Buffering
Trehalose
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Algin
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Pantolactone
Humectant
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Chloride
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocoglycerides, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Urea, Trehalose, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Pullulan, Pantolactone, Potassium Phosphate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Citric Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientParfum
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
PEG-20
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Squalane, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arginine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Retinol, Polysorbate 80, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Parfum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Phospholipids, PEG-20, Adenosine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 75470
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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
