What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingErythrulose
TanningPropylene Glycol
HumectantTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
MoisturisingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingMethoxyphenyl T-Butylphenyl Propanediol
Skin ConditioningAgastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethylene Glycol
MaskingWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Erythrulose, Propylene Glycol, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Methoxyphenyl T-Butylphenyl Propanediol, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soybean Fiber
Skin ProtectingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
MoisturisingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningErythrulose
TanningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethylene Glycol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dihydroxyacetone, Hydrolyzed Soybean Fiber, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Acetate, Erythrulose, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Laureth-7, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 17200
Reviews
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 AcidCocos Nucifera Oil is obtained from the kernels of the coconut fruit. In other words, this is coconut oil.
Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids with lauric acid making up the majority of these. It also contains linoleic acid. Due to this high fatty acid content, coconut oil helps trap moisture and soften skin.
Despite being antibacterial, coconut oil may not be great for acne-prone skin. It is comedogenic and may clog pores. This ingredient may not be safe for malassezia or fungal acne.
Note: Coconut Oil should not replace your sunscreen for UV protection. Studies show it only blocks about 20% of UV.
This oil is non-volatile and has a light scent.
The term '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.
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is a simple sugar. It is frequently used in self-tanning products.
DHA binds to the amino acids in your dead skin cells to create a brown/orange color. Darkening begins to kick in a few hours after application and will continue to develop for up to 3 days. This ingredient can be drying.
Both the US and the EU have approved DHA in self-tanning products. In the EU, DHA is allowed at a maximum concentration of 10%. Most tanning products usually contain amounts between 3-5%.
If you are pregnant or have underlying medical conditions, it is best to speak with a dermatologist about using self-tanning products.
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneWe don't have a description for Erythrulose yet.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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 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 ParfumPersea Gratissima Oil is also known as avocado oil.
Avocado Oil has antioxidant properties. It is mostly made up of the glycerides of fatty acids. About 67% of these fatty acids is made up of oleic acid. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid are also present.
These fatty acids help hydrate and soften the skin. It may increase collagen content in the skin. Collagen helps keep your skin plump and firm. This ingredient helps reduce inflammation and has not shown to clog pores.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe due to its high fatty acid content.
Avocados also have B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethylene Glycol is a fragrance.
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 Water