What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Methacrylamide/Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer
PEG-40/PPG-8 Methylaminopropyl/Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Vp/Methacrylamide/Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer, PEG-40/PPG-8 Methylaminopropyl/Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyimide-1, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysilicone-29
Parfum
Masking
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArgan Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Cleansing
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
PEG-40
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Silicone Quaternium-18
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysilicone-29, Parfum, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Argan Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, PEG-40, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Silicone Quaternium-18, Butylene Glycol, Trideceth-6, Trideceth-12, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Vanillin
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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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
