What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Tangerina Extract
TonicCalluna Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSuccinic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
BufferingRutin
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Isododecane, Synthetic Wax, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Citrus Tangerina Extract, Calluna Vulgaris Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Water, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glutathione, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Madecassoside, Ferulic Acid, Lactic Acid, Rutin, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCarrageenan
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventChondrus Crispus
MaskingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantPinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Tangerina Extract
TonicMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCalcium Lactate
AstringentArbutin
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Carrageenan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glucomannan, Calcium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Propanediol, Chondrus Crispus, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, Sucrose, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Tangerina Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Calcium Lactate, Arbutin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Potassium Hydroxide, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAscorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilCitrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.
Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.
Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.
Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel OilCitrus Tangerina Extract comes from the tangerine fruit native to the Korean peninsula. It is a tonic, meaning it helps remove extra residue and hydrate the skin.
Citrus Tangerina has exhibited antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is rich in ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C.
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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneTocopherol 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