What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSesamum Indicum Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Citronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMannitol
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingDiatomaceous Earth
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningWater, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lauryl Laurate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Starch, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Chlorphenesin, Sesamum Indicum Oil Unsaponifiables, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosterols, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Citronellol, Linalool, Collagen Amino Acids, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Mannitol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Geraniol, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Diatomaceous Earth, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Zinc Sulfate, Hexapeptide-9
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasiveCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingAlgae Extract
EmollientBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningOlus Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingYogurt Powder
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantDarutoside
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingInulin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Algae Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Olus Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lactic Acid, Yogurt Powder, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Darutoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Inulin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water