What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Distearoylethyl Dimonium Chloride
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Urtica Dioica Extract
AstringentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Keratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Ceteareth-20
CleansingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Myroxylon Pereirae Oil
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Cinnamate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Stearyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Distearoylethyl Dimonium Chloride, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Menthyl Lactate, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Myroxylon Pereirae Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
C18-26 Olefin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-7
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Parfum, Lauryl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Glycol Stearate, Glycol Distearate, C18-26 Olefin, Citric Acid, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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
