What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Menthol
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycogen
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant
Succinic Acid
BufferingGlutathione
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Colloidal Gold
AntimicrobialSorbitol
Humectant
PEG-8
Humectant1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDextran
Water, Alcohol, Propanediol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Menthol, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Butylene Glycol, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, Glycerin, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Glycogen, Sodium PCA, Succinic Acid, Glutathione, Tripeptide-1, Colloidal Gold, Sorbitol, PEG-8, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Sodium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Dextran
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Arginine
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenylpropanol
Masking
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Potassium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Arginine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Sodium Phytate, Benzoic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Phenylpropanol, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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.
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 preservatives
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 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 GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolWater. 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
