What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Pullulan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Glutathione
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhloretin
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Silica
Abrasive
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Squalane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, C9-12 Alkane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Glutathione, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Phloretin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Gluconolactone, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Silica, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Chondrus Crispus Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Oleth-20
CleansingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aroma
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Calcium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSorbitol
Humectant
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Euphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Triacetin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Oleth-20, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Parfum, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aroma, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thioctic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Sodium Phosphate, Sorbitol, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Triacetin, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, CI 15985
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 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 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.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is more gentle than ascorbic acid. It is also more stable when exposed to light and oxygen.
Vitamin C helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Your skin uses Vitamin C to produce collagen and collagen production plays a role in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. As an antioxidant, this ingredient also helps reduce the signs of aging such as fine-lines and wrinkles.
VItamin C helps brighten skin by blocking the process of skin darkening.
In a 2011 study, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate was found to have antibacterial properties. This may help treat acne.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
