What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Yucca Aloifolia Leaf/Root Extract
MaskingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Quercetin Caprylate
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Tetrapeptide-21
Skin Conditioning
Copper PCA
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOctoxynol-9
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Isosteareth-200 Linoleate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCholesterol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Yucca Aloifolia Leaf/Root Extract, Linoleic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Quercetin Caprylate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Extract, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Tetrapeptide-21, Copper PCA, Sodium PCA, Urea, Bisabolol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Linolenic Acid, Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phytosphingosine, Zinc PCA, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laureth-7, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Octoxynol-9, Glyceryl Oleate, Isosteareth-200 Linoleate, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Cholesterol, Polyacrylamide, Xanthan Gum, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Panthenol, Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
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 (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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
