What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningMarsdenia Cundurango Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDimer Tripeptide-43
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingCarrageenan
Parfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingAcetic Acid
BufferingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Yeast Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Erythritol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Madecassoside, Soy Amino Acids, Marsdenia Cundurango Bark Extract, Plankton Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Dimer Tripeptide-43, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Propanediol, Triethanolamine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Lactate, Carrageenan, Parfum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexamethylindanopyran, Acetic Acid, Linalyl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningDi-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingCreatine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Acetyl Glucosamine, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Salicylic Acid, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Cholesterol, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Soy Amino Acids, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Caffeine, Glycerin, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Creatine, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Squalane, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Adenosine Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isohexadecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Yeast Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hexylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideWe don't have a description for Soy Amino Acids yet.
Tocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterYeast extract is a silky, clear liquid derived from yeast (usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Torula yeast).
This ingredient has plenty of skin benefits:
Bioferments of yeast and soy have been found to reduce hyperpigmentation at low levels.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Yeast Extract