What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Methyl Aminomethylcyclohexane Carboxamide Hcl
Skin ConditioningMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Trehalose, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium PCA, Urea, Disodium Phosphate, Biotin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Allantoin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Methyl Aminomethylcyclohexane Carboxamide Hcl, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Propylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Lactic Acid, Inulin, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Arginine, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 BenzoateWater. 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
