What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMannitol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSucrose
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingAnetholea Anisata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentWater, Glycerin, Mannitol, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sucrose, Zea Mays Starch, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Acetate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Phosphate, Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTropolone
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tropolone, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water