What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCoco-Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Coceth Sulfate
CleansingMaltitol
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingAframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Surfactin
CleansingPolyquaternium-22
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater, PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Maltitol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Sodium Surfactin, Polyquaternium-22, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Xylitol, Trehalose, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Niacinamide, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantParfum
MaskingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningKluyveromyces Extract
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, PEG-8, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Parfum, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Kluyveromyces Extract, Ergothioneine, Sodium DNA, Menthoxypropanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Citronellol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G) is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives out there.
It's made by attaching a glucose molecule to ascorbic acid; this glucose "cap" shields the vitamin C from air, light, heat, and metal ions that normally cause pure ascorbic acid to oxidize.
Once on your skin, the enzyme alpha-glucosidase snips off the glucose and gradually releases active ascorbic acid right where it's needed. Basically, it behaves like a slow-release pro-vitamin C with less of a stinging that high-strength ascorbic acid can cause.
The research supports the classic vitamin C benefits as well. In lab and human studies, AA-2G slowed down the skin's production of melanin (the pigment behind dark spots) and helped shield skin cells against sun damage better than ascorbyl phosphate.
These studies also showed AA-2G released vitamin C over a longer period.
A frequently cited manufacturer trial found that a 2% AA-2G face cream significantly improved wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 45 days.
And in 2009, a clinical trial showed it meaningfully lightened dark patches on the gums compared to a placebo.
There's also collagen-synthesis support (since vitamin C is a required cofactor for that) and an antioxidant effect too.
Typical usage is usually between 0.5-5% and most studies/products land around 2%.
AA-2G performs best when formulated at a mildly acidic pH (~5-7) which is much gentler than the pH that pure vitamin C demands (~2.5-3.5).
Just one thing worth knowing: the in-skin conversation rate is only about 55-60% by weight. So a 5% AA-2G product delivers roughly 2.75-3% of actual active vitamin C. On top of that, skin absorption is relatively low because the ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water