What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Zinc Myristate
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Methylparaben
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Algin
Masking
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTalc
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Iron Oxides
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cellulose, Zinc Myristate, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Methylparaben, Tocopherol, Water, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Algin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Maltodextrin, Lactobacillus, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Citrate, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Iron Oxides
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Talc
Abrasive
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingMethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Calcium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Magnesium Silicate
AbsorbentDistearyldimonium Chloride
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantStearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Talc, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Triethylhexanoin, Methicone, Silica, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Calcium Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Magnesium Silicate, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Water, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, CI 77120, CI 77491, CI 77492, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidSilica, 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 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTalc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.
Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.
If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.
Learn more about TalcTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
