What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventSilica
AbrasiveSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingLecithin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
2,3-Butanediol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, C15-19 Alkane, Silica, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate, Beta-Glucan, Ectoin, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Ag, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Trehalose, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventErythritol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCI 75130
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyacrylamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Mica, Sodium Citrate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Glycine Soja Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Laureth-7, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Erythritol, Lecithin, CI 77491, Titanium Dioxide, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, CI 75130, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol 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