What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Squalane
Emollient
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingUrea
Buffering
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Agar
MaskingPectin
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Zinc Oxide, Sulfur, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tranexamic Acid, Squalane, Alpha-Arbutin, Salicylic Acid, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Urea, Acacia Senegal Gum, Silica, Beta-Glucan, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Lactate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Agar, Pectin
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAtelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Eperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingWhey Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carrageenan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBisabolol
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantArginine
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Lactose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingThreonine
Valine
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
C12-15 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingMalic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Mel
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Styrene/Vp Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Phosphate
BufferingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Sodium Laureth-40 Sulfate
Cleansing
Coumarin
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
CI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Atelocollagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, Whey Protein, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, Glycoproteins, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bisabolol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caramel, Arginine, Sodium Lactate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Phospholipids, Glycine, Proline, Sorbitol, Carbomer, Coco-Glucoside, Glutamic Acid, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Lactose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Threonine, Valine, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Metabisulfite, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, C12-15 Pareth-12, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Lactobacillus, Bacillus Ferment, Mel, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycine Soja Protein, Lecithin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sphingolipids, Dehydroacetic Acid, Allantoin, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Sodium Laureth-40 Sulfate, Coumarin, Citronellol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, CI 47005, CI 42090
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 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
