What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Pullulan
Sorbitol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
CI 77480
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Glutathione
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bisabolol, Ferulic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Sorbitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Ascorbic Acid, CI 77480, Citric Acid, Glutathione
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Xylitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Carbon
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Octocrylene, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Carbon, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Disiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Parfum, Lecithin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Levulinate, Potassium Sorbate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Citronellol, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCitric 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 Water
