What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Oleate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveJojoba Esters
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantPEG-75 Stearate
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAnhydroxylitol
HumectantGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingXylitol
HumectantCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingParfum
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantGlucose
HumectantCreatine
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientAminoethanesulfinic Acid
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantDisodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientSodium Glycerophosphate
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Decyl Oleate, Glycerin, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Jojoba Esters, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Xylitylglucoside, PEG-75 Stearate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Propanediol, Anhydroxylitol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Mannitol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, CI 77891, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Parfum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glucose, Creatine, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Aminoethanesulfinic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Adenosine, Asiaticoside, CI 77491, Madecassic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Asiatic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, CI 77492, Polysorbate 20, Ascorbic Acid, Carnosine, Xanthan Gum, Saccharide Isomerate, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Tocopherol, Artemia Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Sodium Glycerophosphate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsocetyl Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMannose
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSucrose Tristearate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Steareth-10
EmulsifyingIsobutane
Madecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingToluene Sulfonic Acid
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Glycerin, Mannose, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose Tristearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Steareth-10, Isobutane, Madecassoside, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Xanthan Gum, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 AcidButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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