What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactose
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Isopulegol
MaskingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Glabridin
BleachingLaureth-23
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer, PEG-40 Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Retinol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cetyl Palmitate, Adenosine, Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Extract, Polysorbate 20, Isopulegol, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Glabridin, Laureth-23, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingMusa Sapientum Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Spondias Mombin Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Kaolin
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Bentonite
Absorbent
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Acacia Senegal Gum, Musa Sapientum Pulp Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Spondias Mombin Pulp Extract, Mangifera Indica Pulp Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Kaolin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Bentonite, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Allantoin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyproline, Proline, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Decyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural âglueâ that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (thatâs where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But donât skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidMagnesium Aluminum Silicate is a type of silica. It comes from naturally occuring minerals such as silicate ores and clay.
Magnesium aluminum silicate is used for enhancing texture and as an absorbent. Due to its large molecular size, it is unable to be absorbed into the skin.
Like other types of silica, this ingredient can be used to thicken a product. As an absorbent, it may be used to absorb extra water or help prevent clumping.
Although âaluminumâ in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic âaluminum overload.â
Learn more about Magnesium Aluminum SilicatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 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 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 HydroxideWater. 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
