What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Gentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientFructose
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Soy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Tranexamic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Fructose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, Yeast Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phosphatidylcholine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Soy Amino Acids, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Methylpropanediol
SolventAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
