What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acetic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Water, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Panthenol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Propanediol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharide Isomerate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFructose
Humectant
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantBenzoic Acid
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polysorbate 60, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fructose, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Caramel, Benzoic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 PanthenolPropanediol 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 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
