What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylate-13
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Rosa Moschata Seed Oil
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantothenate
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, C15-19 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Saccharide Isomerate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 20, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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
