What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasiveCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingTilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLamium Album Extract
AstringentNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingPinus Sylvestris Bud Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingTropaeolum Majus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Lamium Album Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Bud Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Flower Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Cyclodextrin, Pvp, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPotassium 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 SorbateThis oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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