What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
C9-12 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentSea Salt
Abrasive
Sodium Stearate
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Quercetin
Antioxidant
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCeteareth-20
Cleansing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Mica, Ethylhexyl Olivate, C9-12 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Squalane, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Calcium Chloride, Sea Salt, Sodium Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Quercetin, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Sodium Carrageenan, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ubiquinone, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Citrate, Ceteareth-20, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Canola Oil
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Canola Oil, Diglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Myristyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Decyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Carbomer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sucrose Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglycerin-3, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCitric 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl 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. 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
