What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Collagen Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCandida/Garcinia Cambogia Ferment
Oryza Sativa Germ Oil
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Candida/Garcinia Cambogia Ferment, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceteareth-12, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Palmitate, Octyldodeceth-16, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Soluble Proteoglycan, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Dna, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Sucrose, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 CitrateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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