What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Glycine
Buffering
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zinc Chloride, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingDextran
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingPisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLamium Album Extract
AstringentNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Pinus Sylvestris Bud Extract
Perfuming
Proline
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingThreonine
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tropaeolum Majus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Mentha Piperita Oil, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Lactate, Dextran, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycine, Alanine, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Serine, Valine, Potassium Sorbate, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Isoleucine, Lamium Album Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Bud Extract, Proline, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Threonine, Biotin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tropaeolum Majus Flower Extract, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Benzoic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Limonene
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 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an amino acid that helps build proteins and moisturizes skin. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.
Glycine already plays a role in helping keep our skin moisturized as amino acids transport moisture throughout our skin.
As collagen is made up of glycine and other amino acids, it is believed glycine may help our skin produce more collagen.
Learn more about GlycinePanthenol 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
