What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Oryza Sativa Hull Powder
Abrasive
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingVp/Va Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Asparagus Officinalis Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Isomalt
HumectantLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Buddleja Davidii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingDiacetyl Boldine
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract
MaskingNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Lecithin
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Hull Powder, Arachidyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chlorphenesin, Mica, CI 77891, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Vp/Va Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Asparagus Officinalis Stem Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Isomalt, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Buddleja Davidii Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Diacetyl Boldine, Calcium Gluconate, Gluconolactone, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Citric Acid, Linalool, Lecithin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Disodium Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Levulinate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid
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 AcidCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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
