What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Gossypium Herbaceum Callus Culture
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Silica, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panthenol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Gossypium Herbaceum Callus Culture, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Fatty Acid Ester
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGellan Gum
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingHexyldeceth-2
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Arbutin, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Glycine Soja Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester, Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gellan Gum, Tocopherol, Polyacrylic Acid, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Hexyldeceth-2, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methicone, Phenoxyethanol
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 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 GlycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
