What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Diisostearyl Malate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinal 0.1%
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lactate
BufferingHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glucose
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Diisostearyl Malate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Panthenol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lecithin, Carbomer, Arginine, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Retinal 0.1%, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Lactate, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Ascorbic Acid, Glucose, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Phytate
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Hypericum Perforatum Extract
AntimicrobialAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialYeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Sulfate
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Chloride
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Formaldehyde
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Alumina, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Lactic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Zea Mays Starch, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Alcohol, Allantoin, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Phytate, Ascorbic Acid, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Yeast Extract, Ammonium Sulfate, Lauryl Alcohol, Ammonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Formaldehyde, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium 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.
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 GlycerinWater. 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 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
