What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C9-12 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Propanediol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C9-12 Alkane, Glyceryl Glucoside, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucrose, Lecithin, Chrysin, Parfum, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Amylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGold
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Potassium Sorbate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Phosphate, Gold, Polysorbate 60, Ethyl Ferulate, Sodium Phosphate
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.
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
Citric 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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
