What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingArginine
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientMaltose
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPectin
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Arginine, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citric Acid, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fructose, Glucose, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lecithin, Maltose, Panthenol, Parfum, Pectin, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Proline, Serine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trehalose, Urea, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-25
CleansingSoluble Collagen
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBehenic Acid
CleansingCholesterol
EmollientTrisodium EDTA
Ceramide Ns
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Disodium EDTA, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Adenosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Ceteareth-25, Soluble Collagen, Glucose, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, CI 19140, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Ceramide NP, Behenic Acid, Cholesterol, Trisodium EDTA, Ceramide Ns, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient is a more stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate as quickly when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is oil soluble.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCitric 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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms.
In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.
Glucose is hydrating due to its humectant property. As a humectant, glucose draws moisture from the air and from deeper levels in the skin.
Our skin contains many sugars that act as prebiotics and help strengthen our natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
Studies show glucose may help with fading discoloration and pigmentation. This is because our skin metabolizes glucose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is an AHA that helps exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water