What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientVanilla Planifolia Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSecale Cereale Seed Extract
AbrasiveFaex
Skin ConditioningSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Steareth-21
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPhytic Acid
Sodium Citrate
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Alcohol, Silica, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Water, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Faex, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Steareth-21, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Adenosine, Lactic Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Citrate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, CI 14700, CI 15985, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentRose Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Silica
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDipeptide-4
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cellulose, Rose Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77492, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Silica, CI 77491, Dipeptide-4, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 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 Water