What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Oleate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Algin
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Aqua
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Triacetin
AntimicrobialPolyisobutene
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Urea, Glycerin, Decyl Oleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, C14-22 Alcohols, Panthenol, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenoxyethanol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hydrolyzed Algin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Maris Aqua, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Proline, Magnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate, Pantolactone, Lecithin, Triacetin, Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Escin
TonicSerine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract
Astringent
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algin
Masking
Pullulan
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Trehalose
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPantolactone
Humectant
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Betaine, Panthenol, Glycerin, Urea, Caffeine, Escin, Serine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Algin, Pullulan, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Trehalose, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Sodium Citrate, Pantolactone, Potassium Phosphate, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.
As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.
Phenoxyethanol 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Urea is actually one of the more well-studied and well-supported ingredients out there if you have eczema.
Clinical trials have shown that urea creams in the 5 - 10% range can:
Higher concentrations (20 -30%) can also help with thickened, scaly patches but is also more likely to sting on active flares.
Skip urea if you have rosacea. The AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) lists it alongside alcohol, menthol, and fragrance as a potential irritant for rosacea-prone skin. Urea's keratolytic and penetration-enhancing properties can trigger stinging, burning, and redness.
As always, your skin is unique, so definitely check in with your dermatologist.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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
