What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientVolcanic Soil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAmylopectin
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Volcanic Soil, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Ascorbic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Amylopectin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Tangerina Peel Extract
AstringentWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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