What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingNaringenin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
MaskingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenyl Triacetate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Methylpropanediol
SolventAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, C14-22 Alcohols, Naringenin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethyl Citrate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenyl Triacetate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Citral, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParietaria Officinalis Extract
EmollientSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantAlgin
MaskingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingUrea
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPullulan
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hexanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxystearic Acid
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingBHT
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Dimethicone, PEG-8, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Algin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Urea, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pullulan, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium Phosphate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-10, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxystearic Acid, Myristic Acid, BHT, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Saccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water