What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactic Acid, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Maltodextrin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus, Inulin, Arginine, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Amylopectin
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingPalm Glycerides
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids
CleansingFructose
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Panthenol, Inulin, Maltodextrin, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Amylopectin, Capryloyl Glycine, Palm Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids, Fructose, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinInulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.
The majority of inulin is extracted from chicory, but can also be obtained from other plants such as garlic, onion, asparagus, and sugarcane.
Studies show inulin may help with controlling your skin's natural microbiota when applied topically.
The antioxidant potential of inulin varies depending on the source.
Learn more about InulinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 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 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
