What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mel
EmollientCera Alba
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentPEG-75 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Secale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Isododecane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Mel, Cera Alba, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, PEG-75 Stearate, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Steareth-21, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Squalane
Emollient
Algae Extract
EmollientHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSodium Lactate
Buffering
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientSucrose
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyethylene
Abrasive
Polysilicone-11
PEG-32
HumectantPEG-6
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Whey Protein, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Squalane, Algae Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caffeine, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Sodium Lactate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sucrose, Sodium PCA, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Polyethylene, Polysilicone-11, PEG-32, PEG-6, Disodium EDTA, Isoceteth-20, Isododecane, Citric Acid, Parfum, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
