What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Fructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosyl Ceramide
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Dextrin
AbsorbentAlanine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Hexyl Nicotinate
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Squalane, Snail Secretion Filtrate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Fructose, Glucose, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arginine, Gluconolactone, Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract, Glucosyl Ceramide, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Faex Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Gluconate, Caffeine, Biotin, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCitric 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 AcidParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
