What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantPPG-14 Polyglyceryl-2 Ether
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPerilla Frutescens Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingHoney
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningFlower Extract
Rhus Glabra Bark/Berry/Root Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
EmollientSoluble Collagen
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Diglycerin, PPG-14 Polyglyceryl-2 Ether, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Honey, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-61, Flower Extract, Rhus Glabra Bark/Berry/Root Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Soluble Collagen, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantPPG-14 Polyglyceryl-2 Ether
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentRosa Alba Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPlacental Extract
Betaine
HumectantPolyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSoluble Collagen
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantPEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCholesterol
EmollientDihydrocholeth-20
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingIsostearic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Diglycerin, PPG-14 Polyglyceryl-2 Ether, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosa Alba Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Placental Extract, Betaine, Polyquaternium-61, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Royal Jelly Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Soluble Collagen, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, PEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Cholesterol, Dihydrocholeth-20, Triethylhexanoin, Malic Acid, Isostearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidDiglycerin is a humectant. It is derived from glycerin, which is naturally found in your skin.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture to the skin from the air.
Ethylparaben is a preservative, is a paraben, and is not reef safe.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinIsopentyldiol is a synthetic solvent, humectant, and emollient.
Humectants have the ability to attract and hold water while emollients create a thin film to prevent water from evaporating. This combination keeps your skin and hair soft and hydrated. Plus, isopentyldiol does not leave a sticky feeling behind.
As a surfactant, isopentyldiol is a hydrotrope. Hydrotropes help surfactants (cleansing agents) dissolve into water.
According to the manufacturer, using this ingredient with sorbitol boosts skin hydration and helps close cuticles of damaged hair.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about IsopentyldiolMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate yet.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-61 yet.
We don't have a description for PPG-14 Polyglyceryl-2 Ether yet.
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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSoluble collagen comes from animals and fish. It has a large molecule size, meaning it doesn't get absorbed into skin.
Instead, it sits on top of skin as a humectant to improve skin hydration. It has incredible water-binding properties and creates a water barrier on skin that prevents evaporation.
This ingredient is incredibly gentle and often used to counter more irritating ingredients.
While our skin does have collagen, this ingredient is not used by the skin for anti-aging. Applying collagen topically has not been linked to helping with collagen loss in skin. All the benefits of soluble collagen are related to hydration.
Fun fact: The name "soluble collagen" refers to its ability to dissolve in water.
Learn more about Soluble CollagenTocopherol 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 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. 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