What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Rh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Rh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Rh-Polypeptide-62
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Silica, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Mica, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Rh-Polypeptide-1, Rh-Polypeptide-3, Rh-Polypeptide-62, Beta-Glucan, Tranexamic Acid, Papain, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin, Diglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Boron Nitride, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glucose, Synthetic Beeswax, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Erythritol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Propanediol
Solvent
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Glycerin
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Niacinamide, Erythritol, Citric Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Propanediol, Kojic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyacetophenone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateTranexamic Acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine derivative that is becoming one of the most exciting brightening ingredients in skincare.
Originally used in medicine as an anti-hemorrhagic agent, its skin brightening potential was discovered by accident; patients taking it orally started noticing their melasma was fading.
Unlike most brighteners that target tyrosinase (the enzyme that synthesizes melanin), TXA works further upstream. It basically blocks your cells from receiving the signal to produce pigment.
This makes it one of the rare actives that works on three pathways at once:
This makes it effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots.
The most effective cosmetic concentration sits between 2-5% and going higher doesn't boost results.
Side effects are generally mild; occasional irritation, flaking, or dryness have been reported at the start of use. Overall, this ingredient is pretty well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it does not cause photosensitivity, so it's safe to use in the AM and PM.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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
