What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Urea
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Cera Alba
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRebaudioside A
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Water, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Urea, Glycolic Acid, Cera Alba, Silica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bakuchiol, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ceramide NP, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Lactic Acid, Carbomer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Ceramide EOP, Sucrose Cocoate, Xanthan Gum, Rebaudioside A, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningLanolin
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
Emulsifying
PEG-8 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aroma
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCalcium PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSorbitol
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Saccharin
MaskingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientNigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingWater, Lanolin, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, PEG-8 Beeswax, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Aroma, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Cucumis Sativus Oil, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Phospholipids, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Calcium PCA, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Urea, Saccharin, Palmitic Acid, Sucrose Stearate, BHT, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Levulinate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glyceryl Caprylate, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Allantoin, P-Anisic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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
