What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract
AstringentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Clementina Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
PEG-75 Stearate
Polysilicone-11
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isopropyl Myristate, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Citrus Clementina Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, PEG-75 Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 16035, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Nylon-12
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water, Glycolic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Phytic Acid, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Jojoba Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Polyglycerin-3, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
