What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGeranium Maculatum Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Jojoba Protein
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientSodium Phytate
Polyquaternium-7
Tocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeGlycol Distearate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialTetrasodium EDTA
Citronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Phytate, Polyquaternium-7, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Glycol Distearate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Hyperborea Extract
Skin ProtectingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSarcosine
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantParfum
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Cetrimonium Chloride, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Biotin, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Laminaria Hyperborea Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sarcosine, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Alcohol
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 and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
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 AcidAscorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCitric 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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Extract comes from the common sunflower.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E. Studies show sunflowers contain antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
The fatty acids found in sunflowers include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus ExtractLaminaria Digitata Extract comes from the dark brown seaweed, Laminaria Digitata. It is a potent antioxidant, which also provides soothing and hydrating benefits.
Many studies show the antioxidant components of Laminaria Digitata to help with anti-inflammation.
This ingredient is rich in amino acids, proteins, sugars, and vitamins. Small amounts of minerals such as phosphorous, iron, potassium, and copper are also found the seaweed.
These components help hydrate and nourish your skin's natural barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more youthful looking skin and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Laminaria Digitata is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed?
Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
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 PanthenolRetinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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