What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxystearyl Glucoside
Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbitol
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Salvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Hydroxystearyl Alcohol
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxystearyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Sorbitol, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hydroxystearyl Alcohol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
Tribehenin
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTetrasodium EDTA
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Corylus Avellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Sargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
BHT
Antioxidant
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Butylene Glycol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyacrylamide, Tribehenin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Ceramide Ng, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sorbitol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, BHT, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Cyclomethicone, Sea Whip Extract, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Cetyl Phosphate, Triethanolamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl 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
