What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Betaine
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Stearate
CleansingRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Potassium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Silica, Betaine, Sucrose, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Stearate, Retinal, Resveratrol, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Potassium Lactate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Betaine, Trehalose, Phospholipids, Panthenol, Retinol, Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate, Retinal, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Ethyl Oleate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCitric 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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateXanthan 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
