What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Sucrose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dextrin Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Benzophenone-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Tribehenin
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Isostearate
CleansingSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingTetrapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Tribehenin, Propanediol, Silica, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Mica, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Citric Acid, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, CI 77891, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Isostearate, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Tetrapeptide-4, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Tocopherol, CI 14700
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCi 14700, also known as Red No. 4, is a synthetic red dye derived from petroleum. It is water soluble.
Citric 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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
