What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Musa Paradisiaca Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLactic Acid
Buffering
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Niacinamide, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Silica, CI 77891, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Caffeine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 80, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Triethanolamine, CI 77492, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Mica, Sorbitan Oleate, Musa Paradisiaca Fruit Juice, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Tin Oxide, Potassium Sorbate, Aluminum Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Oleate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Algin
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Aqua
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Triacetin
AntimicrobialPolyisobutene
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Urea, Glycerin, Decyl Oleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, C14-22 Alcohols, Panthenol, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenoxyethanol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hydrolyzed Algin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Maris Aqua, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Proline, Magnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate, Pantolactone, Lecithin, Triacetin, Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCitric 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 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.
Sorbitan Oleate is a PEG-free emulsifier made by esterifying sorbitol with oleic acid.
You'll likely see it paired with Polysorbate 80 to create the right emulsification balance.
Typical use levels in formulas range from 2-10%.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient.
Since this ingredient is an ester of oleic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
