What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingYeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Isopentyldiol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Diglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Surfactin, Xanthan Gum, Yeast Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bacillus Ferment, Sodium Carrageenan, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Maris Sal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
This 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut. It has emollient and emulsifier properties.
As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.
On the other hand, emulsifiers prevent ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating.
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylatePentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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
