What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSucrose
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sucrose
Pollen Extract
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCholeth-24
EmulsifyingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingHoney Extract
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Boreale Flower Extract
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningPollen Extract, Glycerin, Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Methyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, C14-22 Alcohols, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Choleth-24, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ceramide NP, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Honey Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Propolis Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Chrysanthemum Boreale Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 AcidDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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