What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Soluble Collagen
HumectantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPolyisobutene
Serum Albumin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Husk Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningFibronectin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Glycoproteins, Polyacrylate-13, Soluble Collagen, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Serum Albumin, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Husk Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Wax, Fibronectin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Steareth-20, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Sodium Citrate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, CI 16255, CI 77491, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dipeptide-2, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Bisulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningProlinamidoethyl Imidazole
Skin ProtectingArginine
MaskingAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantTulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientFructose
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDextran
Glyceryl Behenate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Octastearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C13-15 Alkane, Squalane, Propanediol, Lauryl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Prolinamidoethyl Imidazole, Arginine, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Gluconolactone, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Fructose, Maltodextrin, Dextran, Glyceryl Behenate, Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Triethyl Citrate, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Zinc Stearate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin 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 SorbateTocopherol (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