What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-21
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Laureth-3
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Isohexadecane, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Steareth-21, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-3, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, CI 19140, Potassium Sorbate, CI 16035, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Copper PCA
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingOligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Panthenol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Sodium Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc PCA, Copper PCA, Citric Acid, Ceramide NP, Sodium Dna, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Oligopeptide-10, Ceramide EOP, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Sodium Benzoate
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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 Water
