What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Tromethamine
BufferingPEG-8
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Trisiloxane, Trehalose, Sucrose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Caffeine, Sorbitol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleth-10, Sodium Polyaspartate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tromethamine, PEG-8, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
C15-19 Alkane
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Lupine Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Denatonium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Magnesium Chloride
Aluminum Butoxide
StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glucose
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Erbium Chloride
Skin ProtectingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Calcium Chloride
AstringentMagnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Histidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Cystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Ornithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Hcl
MaskingRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Niacin
SmoothingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Dimethicone, Gluconolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Lupine Seed Extract, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Sodium Hydroxide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Parfum, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Chlorphenesin, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 80, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sucrose Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tin Oxide, Hydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Linoleate, Denatonium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Magnesium Chloride, Aluminum Butoxide, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Glucose, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Erbium Chloride, CI 17200, Superoxide Dismutase, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Ascorbic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Coenzyme A, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Hcl, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerCitric 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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
