What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientUndecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventTridecane
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Phosphate
BufferingBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Undecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ectoin, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Tridecane, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Bacillus Ferment, Glyceryl Caprylate, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTapioca Starch
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
MaskingOligopeptide-177
Phenylalanine
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tapioca Starch, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Propanediol, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Sodium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Potassium Sorbate, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
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
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 AcidCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateWe don't have a description for Gentiana Lutea Root Extract yet.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum