What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPantolactone
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSorbitol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Hydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Sulfate
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Trisodium EDTA
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Hydrogenated Didecene, Persea Gratissima Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT, Bisabolol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Sulfate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Trisodium EDTA, CI 42090, CI 47005
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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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
