Ellana Mineral Cosmetics Flower Power Toner Essence Versus Ellana Mineral Cosmetics Glass-C Brightening Skin Serum
This hydrating toner is formulated around Rosa Damascena Flower Water and Rosa Canina Fruit Extract to hydrate skin and calm redness.
This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Glutamate
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Glutamate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPomegranate flower extract has skin conditioning properties.
According to analysis of the flower, it is rich in the triterpenes ursolic acid and oleanolic acid.
Triterpenes are chemical compounds found in various plants such as pomegranates, apples, basil, and rosemary. They have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
The flowers also contain gallic acid and ellagic acid, two types of polyphenols. They possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
A study from 2017 found pomegranate flower to help heal scars and wounds in rats. Another study from 2020 found this ingredient to help decrease lip wrinkles and increase lip volume.
This ingredient also showed positive effects on dandruff removal in a study from 2015.
Learn more about Punica Granatum Flower ExtractSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable.
Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefits. One study found 5% of SAP lotion to be an effective ingredient for treating acne vulgaris. This is because research shows that SAP may help control acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and slowing the oxidation of skin oils caused by UV exposure.
In addition to acne, vitamin C is important for skin structure. Lab studies suggest SAP may support collagen production in skin cells, making it a great ingredient in anti-aging routines.
Vitamin C has many benefits: it helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, fade the appearance of dark spots, and brighten the skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateWater. 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
