What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
C13-15 Alkane
SolventGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tyrosinamide
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
SoothingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Mentha Piperita Leaf
RefreshingPrimula Veris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingCeteth-20
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Citric Acid
Buffering
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Sulfite
Preservative
PEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, PEG-8, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, C13-15 Alkane, Glycolic Acid, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide, Acetyl Tyrosinamide, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Achillea Millefolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Mentha Piperita Leaf, Primula Veris Flower Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Ceteth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Citric Acid, Laureth-7, Sodium Sulfite, PEG-75 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Acetyl Tyrosinamide
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Ammonium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethyldihydrojasmonate
Masking2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol
Masking
Ethyl Acetoacetate
Perfuming
Methyl Benzodioxepinone
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-8, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Acetyl Tyrosinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethiconol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Sulfite, BHT, Ammonium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Methyldihydrojasmonate, 2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol, Ethyl Acetoacetate, Methyl Benzodioxepinone, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 17200, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Acetyl Tyrosinamide yet.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Caprylyl 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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPEG-8 is a synthetic polymer used as a humectant and solvent.
This ingredient is able to help dissolve active ingredients, including water. This gives it humectant properties.
It is soluble in water. The number '8' stands for the molecular weight of the ingredient.
Learn more about PEG-8Phenoxyethanol 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 Sulfite is a preservative. Preservatives help prevent mold and bacteria from growing in cosmetics.
This ingredient has been shown to break the bonds in hair, acting as a natural straightener.
It is commonly used in food. It should be noted sodium sulfite degrades both vitamins B1 and E.
Fun fact: Sulfites are naturally occuring in wine.
Learn more about Sodium SulfiteWater. 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
