What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Casein
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Cholesterol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Wine Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Mineral Salts
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-40 Stearate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Casein, Phenethyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Cholesterol, Lecithin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Wine Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Citric Acid, Rose Extract, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sucrose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Mineral Salts
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Magnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Maris Aqua
HumectantGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rna
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingSorbitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingVp/Va Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningMannitol
Humectant
Laurtrimonium Chloride
Emulsifying
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Magnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Maris Aqua, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rna, Pyridoxine Hcl, Histidine Hcl, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Arginine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Vp/Va Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Mannitol, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Sodium Bisulfite, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 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
