What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gigartina Stellata Extract
Skin ProtectingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Oil
Masking
Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingTagetes Minuta Flower Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
PCA
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Silanetriol
Pantolactone
Humectant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmylopectin
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, PEG-8, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Polyglutamic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lysine Hcl, Betaine, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Glucose, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Silanetriol, Pantolactone, Glutamic Acid, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Amylopectin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sorbitol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ubiquinone, Propylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexyl Laurate, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Oleate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Propanediol, Alcohol, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPotassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
