What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Alginate
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAgar
MaskingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Iron Oxides
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Buddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Calcium Alginate, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Ethylhexylglycerin, Agar, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, Iron Oxides, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Tocopherol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sucrose
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Water, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Retinol, Kojic Acid, Phospholipids, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Sucrose, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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 Water
