What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantTapioca Starch
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Betaine, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycine Soja Oil, Dicaprylyl Ether, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Tapioca Starch, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCarrageenan
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMarrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVeronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingPrimula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativePhoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Xanthan Gum, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Cellulose Gum, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Phoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is calcium salt of gluconic acid. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin.
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 AcidGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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.Â
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 PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 CitrateWater. 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