What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Vp/Va Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingJojoba Oil/Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Esters
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Medicago Sativa Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caffeine, Pyridoxine Hcl, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Carnosine, Cyclodextrin, Carbomer, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Jojoba Oil/Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Sodium Surfactin, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingFructose
Humectant
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Darutoside
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Maris Aqua
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rhizobian Gum
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sucrose
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Acacia Senegal Gum, Fructose, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ceramide NP, Darutoside, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Maris Aqua, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rhizobian Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-16 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sucrose, Pantolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCitric 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
