What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethiconol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
SolventPPG-24-Glycereth-24
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingSantalum Album Oil
MaskingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningGigartina Stellata Extract
Skin ProtectingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Oil
MaskingCistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingTagetes Minuta Flower Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSerine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingSilanetriol
Pantolactone
HumectantGlutamic Acid
HumectantThreonine
Arginine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmylopectin
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, PEG-8, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Polyglutamic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lysine Hcl, Betaine, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Glucose, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Silanetriol, Pantolactone, Glutamic Acid, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Amylopectin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
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 AcidPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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