What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polyacrylamide
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantPPG-25-Laureth-25
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPullulan
Bisabolol
AntioxidantBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSqualane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingAcacia Dealbata Flower Wax
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Wax
Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Wax
MaskingNannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialAlcohol
AntimicrobialEscin
TonicTocopherol
AntioxidantRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingEchinacea Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningPlantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Heptapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeUndecylenic Acid
CleansingBenzoic Acid
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-40 Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Tristearate, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Sorbitol, PPG-25-Laureth-25, Mica, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Butylene Glycol, Pullulan, Bisabolol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, CI 77891, Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Laureth-7, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Hexylene Glycol, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Acacia Dealbata Flower Wax, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Wax, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Wax, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Panthenol, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, PEG-8, CI 77491, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Alcohol, Escin, Tocopherol, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Echinacea Angustifolia Root Extract, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, Colloidal Gold, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Undecylenic Acid, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingIsopentyldiol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDiglycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOsmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentErythritol
HumectantHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingGold
Cosmetic ColorantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlutathione
Citronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Isopentyldiol, Propanediol, Diglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, 2,3-Butanediol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Erythritol, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Gold, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Citronellol, Geraniol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77400
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCaprylyl 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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolRosa Damascena Flower Water is the water-based byproduct of steam-distilling damask rose petals. It has skin conditioning, masking, and skin protecting properties.
Research shows that Rosa damascena is rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds like gallic acid that contribute to its antioxidant activity.
In vitro studies have shown that Rosa damascena can scavenge free radicals and reduce melanin overproduction. Research has also found this extract offers some degree of UV absorption but this should not replace your sunscreen.
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower WaterSodium 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 HyaluronateSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolXanthan 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