What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSucrose Palmitate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingEscin
TonicSalicylic Acid
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
HumectantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Potassium Chloride
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Lactate
BufferingCalcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPropylene Glycol Alginate
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantGlutamic Acid
HumectantNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCoenzyme A
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantNiacin
SmoothingNiacinamide
SmoothingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantThiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sucrose Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Squalane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Linoleate, Carbomer, Lecithin, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Parfum, Escin, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Isohexadecane, Beta-Sitosterol, Glucose, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Chloride, Polysorbate 60, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Phosphate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Alanine, Trihydroxystearin, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Atelocollagen, Proline, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Tocopherol, Coenzyme A, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Glucuronate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Thiamine Diphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientOlus Oil
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCandelilla Cera
EmollientUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-75 Stearate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTridecyl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingMelatonin
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-8
HumectantKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caffeine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Maltodextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Olus Oil, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Candelilla Cera, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenylpropanol, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-75 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tridecyl Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Melatonin, Parfum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Disodium EDTA, PEG-8, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCaffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Tocopherol (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 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 AcetateUndaria Pinnatifida Extract comes from a kelp native to the northern Pacific Ocean. It is more commonly known as "wakame".
This kelp contains fatty acids, sodium, calcium, iodine, thiamine, and niacin. Studies show a polysaccharide known as fucoidan exhibits strong antioxidant activities. Fucoidan can be found in the cell walls of many species of brown seaweed.
Wakame prefers cold and temperate oceans. It is used in Japanese and Korean cuisine (yummy!).
Learn more about Undaria Pinnatifida ExtractWater. 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