What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Sodium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTremella Fuciformis Extract, Glycerin, Water, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Vinyldimethicone, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, 1,2-Hexanediol, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Boron Nitride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cholesterol, Beta-Glucan, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
It is an emulsifier, emollient, and a surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Surfactants help gather oils, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin. This helps them to be easily rinsed away.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate CitratePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 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