What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Heptyl Glucoside
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Biotin, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Charcoal Powder, Mentha Piperita Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Heptyl Glucoside, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Royal Jelly
Mel
EmollientPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Royal Jelly, Mel, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Zinc PCA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin, Polyquaternium-51, Fructose, Maltodextrin, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate
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 AcidGlycerin (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 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 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 PropanediolSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol 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 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. 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
