What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triheptanoin, Isoamyl Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentRose Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sorbitol
Humectant
Algin
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantC13-15 Alkane
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Rose Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Adenosine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Triheptanoin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Sorbitol, Algin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, CI 14700, CI 42090, C13-15 Alkane, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Reviews
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 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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 AcetateWe don't have a description for Triheptanoin yet.
Water. 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
