What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGold
Cosmetic ColorantGlutathione
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingTartaric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Gold, Glutathione, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Mica
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAmorphophallus Konjac Root Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningKefiran
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Water, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ferulic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Kefiran, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglutamic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
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 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 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