What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Oligopeptide-68
Bleaching
Sodium Oleate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBeetroot Red
Beta Vulgaris Root Powder
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 77489
Cosmetic ColorantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Mannitol, Cellulose, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oligopeptide-68, Sodium Oleate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Beetroot Red, Beta Vulgaris Root Powder, Citric Acid, CI 77489, Maltodextrin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Saccharide Isomerate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Mannitol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cellulose, Bisabolol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hyaluronic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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 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
