What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Menadione
MaskingGlutathione
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Phenethyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin, Biotin, Linoleic Acid, Retinol, Menadione, Glutathione, Bioflavonoids, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 AcidButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 TocopherolXanthan 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
