What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Menadione
MaskingGlutathione
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Phenethyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin, Biotin, Linoleic Acid, Retinol, Menadione, Glutathione, Bioflavonoids, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid 23%
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glutathione
Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPiper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Junos Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingFullerenes
AntimicrobialWater, Ascorbic Acid 23%, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Octyldodeceth-16, Butylene Glycol, Glutathione, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Pvp, Fullerenes
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathioneGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
