What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Vitis Vinifera Seed/Skin/Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Propanediol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Citric Acid, Vitis Vinifera Seed/Skin/Stem Extract, Tetrapeptide-30, Saccharide Isomerate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Chrysin, Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Ectoin, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Carnosine, Citric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
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 AcidPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
