What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No 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 ConditioningSodium 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
BufferingPCA
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Alanine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Silanetriol
Pantolactone
Humectant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningXanthan 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 ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingErythritol
Humectant
Potassium Lactate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sucrose, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyglutamate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Xanthan Gum, Erythritol, Potassium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineGlycerin 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 âglueâ 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 donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre 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 skinâs 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 productâs 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 AcidLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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. 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
