What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Water, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Hexylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Piroctone Olamine, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingFructose
Humectant
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Dicaprylyl Ether, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Inulin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Fructose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Parfum, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is an organic acid that shows up in cosmetics as a preservative. It helps keep a product from spoiling by holding back the growth of yeast, mold, and some bacteria.
This ingredient also functions as a fragrance ingredient that helps mask the unpleasant scent of other ingredients.
The way it works is worth understanding; benzoic acid works when the formula is acidic. It is able to sneak into a microbe's cell and mess up how it functions to stop it from growing in an acidic product.
However, the acid switches to an inactive form and stops working if a product isn't acidic enough (above ~5 pH). This is why you'll often see it in low pH products or teamed up with other preservatives to cover the gap.
Safety wise, it's one of the better studied preservatives out there.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
A large international review found this ingredient had no effects on the human body and had low irritation potential.
Just so you know, real world use is usually much lower than the 5% ceiling (usually 1% of less).
The EU caps it at 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral care, and 0.5% in leave-on products.
One thing worth mentioning (it's nothing to worry about): some people get a little stinging or flushing where they apply it. This isn't a true allergy; it's a temporary and harmless reaction. This is the same kind of mild tingle you might notice from sorbic acid.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidCitric 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 AcidDicaprylyl Ether is created from caprylic acid. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Ether is non-comedogenic. It helps soften and smooth the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, helping to hydrate the skin.
Dicaprylyl Ether gives a non-greasy feel and better spreadability to products.
Learn more about Dicaprylyl EtherWater. 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 Water
