What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Panthenol, Dibutyl Adipate, Pentylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Pantolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingUndecane
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Polylysine
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Isostearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Glucose
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tridecane
Perfuming
PEG-8
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Succinate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Squalane, Mandelic Acid, Isopentyldiol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Undecane, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Polylysine, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Isostearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Isostearic Acid, Glucose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tridecane, PEG-8, Citric Acid, Carnosine, Panthenol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Propylene Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Succinate, Tocopherol
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
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 AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
