What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-4 Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-20 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Lactate
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, PEG-4 Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, PEG-20 Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Alcohol, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Ethyl Lactate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Zinc Sulfate, Retinyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Magnesium Sulfate
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
ChelatingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Silica, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Sulfate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lecithin, Sodium Gluconate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Reviews
Alternatives
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 PalmitateCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Citric 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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
