What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Retinyl Palmitate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Allantoin, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningLanolin Alcohol
EmollientTri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Sterols
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingTapioca Starch
Maltol
MaskingPolyquaternium-80
CleansingSodium Phytate
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberWater, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Squalane, C13-15 Alkane, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Lanolin Alcohol, Tri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Sterols, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Triethyl Citrate, Tapioca Starch, Maltol, Polyquaternium-80, Sodium Phytate, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Aspartate, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 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