What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
PEG-8 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingPEG-8
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingEchinacea Angustifolia Extract
MoisturisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantGlycine
BufferingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDarutoside
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantGlucose
HumectantChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Tocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Ceteareth-20, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Steareth-20, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, PEG-8, Limonene, Echinacea Angustifolia Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Glycine, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Darutoside, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glucose, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Biotin, Dipeptide-2, Carrageenan, Tocopherol, Lecithin
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLupinus Albus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientPEG-35 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHieracium Pilosella Extract
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCordyceps Militaris Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sericin
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenyl Triacetate
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningEthyl Linoleate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningOleyl Alcohol
EmollientDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSilica Silylate
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Glyceryl Laurate
EmulsifyingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Hieracium Pilosella Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Cordyceps Militaris Mycelium Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Lactobacillus, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lactobacillus Ferment, Phospholipids, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Sericin, Cera Alba, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Panthenyl Triacetate, Acetyl Tyrosine, Ethyl Linoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Proline, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Oleyl Alcohol, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Silica, Silica Silylate, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Adenosine Triphosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-12 Glyceryl Laurate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Pvp, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidThis small molecule peptide has similar benefits to Argireline, the "botox" peptide.
According to the manufacturer, this peptide mimics snake venom to freeze muscles. This prevents muscle movement and contractions to prohibit the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
While this seems promising, research is lacking in proving this ingredient to be as effective as botox.
Learn more about Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide DiacetateDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.
Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.
Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as both humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in.
The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin.
Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.
This ingredient is non-occlusive.
Some types of phospholipids:
Learn more about PhospholipidsPotassium 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 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 CitrateTocopherol (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. 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