What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientRosa Moschata Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polysilicone-11
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polyisobutene
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Panthenol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Saccharomyces Ferment, Hydroxyapatite, Retinal, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Adenosine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysilicone-11, Polyglutamic Acid, Polyisobutene, Lauroyl Lysine, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Xanthan Gum, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Glycolic Acid 3.5%
Buffering
Dierucic Acid 2%
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 1.5%
Masking
Citric Acid 0.5%
Buffering
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientOctadecenedioic Acid
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Polyquaternium-10
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycolic Acid 3.5%, Dierucic Acid 2%, Salicylic Acid 1.5%, Citric Acid 0.5%, Alcohol Denat., Water, Methylpropanediol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Octadecenedioic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
