What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingOlus Oil
EmollientPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantDaphne Odora Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingNicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Olus Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-8, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, C12-16 Alcohols, Cera Alba, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Palmitic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Aluminum Hydroxide, Retinol, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDimethyl Sulfone
SolventCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialCarrageenan
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Water, Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dimethyl Sulfone, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Carrageenan, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil is from the seeds of the starflower plant. This plant grows primarily in Europe.
This oil does not have a scent. It contains fatty acids such as linolenic acid. These fatty acids help keep skin hydrated.
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Learn more about Borago Officinalis Seed OilButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Sodium 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 BenzoateTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water