What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Sucrose Distearate, Citric Acid, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 PCA
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Caprylyl Esters
Emulsion Stabilising
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningTrilaurin
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Potato Starch Modified
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Trehalose, Glyceryl Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 PCA, Propanediol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Caprylyl Esters, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hyaluronic Acid, Triheptanoin, Trilaurin, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Potato Starch Modified, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol
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 AcidGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (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
