What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Silica
Abrasive
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCholesteryl Chloride
Skin ConditioningCholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientCholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Silica, Soluble Collagen, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Water, Algae Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Cholesteryl Chloride, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Retinyl Palmitate, Rosa Canina Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Kaolin
Abrasive
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Linalool
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Trisodium EDTA
Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Propanediol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Kaolin, Zinc Gluconate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Parfum, Menthoxypropanediol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Linalool, Salicylic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Limonene, Citric Acid, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinYou can find hydrolyzed silk in both haircare and skincare products. According to a manufacturer, it can help improve skin and hair hydration.
This ingredient is created by adding acid or enzymes to 'hydrolyze' silk protein.
Due to the origins of this ingredient, it is not vegan. Silk is an animal product from silkworms.
Depending on the source, this ingredient can be considered cruelty-free. It is created from left-over cocoons of silkworms. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about where their hydrolyzed silk comes from.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed SilkPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSoluble collagen comes from animals and fish. It has a large molecule size, meaning it doesn't get absorbed into skin.
Instead, it sits on top of skin as a humectant to improve skin hydration. It has incredible water-binding properties and creates a water barrier on skin that prevents evaporation.
This ingredient is incredibly gentle and often used to counter more irritating ingredients.
While our skin does have collagen, this ingredient is not used by the skin for anti-aging. Applying collagen topically has not been linked to helping with collagen loss in skin. All the benefits of soluble collagen are related to hydration.
Fun fact: The name "soluble collagen" refers to its ability to dissolve in water.
Learn more about Soluble CollagenWater. 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
