What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicThiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Beta-Glucan, Lactobacillus Ferment, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glutathione, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Retinyl Palmitate, Biotin, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Sucrose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cyanocobalamin
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phyllostachys Bambusoides Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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 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
