What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentLecithin
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycine Soja Oil, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Sclerotium Gum, Stearyl Alcohol, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinol, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Cyclodextrin, Lecithin, Citric Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
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 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.
Tocopheryl 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 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
