What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment
Skin ProtectingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingZinc PCA
HumectantLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeEuterpe Oleracea Juice
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientQuartz
AbrasiveCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Water, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Potassium Hydroxide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Zinc PCA, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ascorbic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Euterpe Oleracea Juice, Tocopherol, Silica, Maltodextrin, Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Quartz, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientC13-16 Isoparaffin
SolventPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantUrea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantGlutathione
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOleyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialPolysilicone-11
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ProtectingZanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Surfactin
CleansingXymenynic Acid
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSorbitol
HumectantTin Oxide
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGold
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Diisopropyl Sebacate, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ascorbic Acid, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Glutathione, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Oleyl Alcohol, Silica, Hexylresorcinol, Polysilicone-11, Triheptanoin, Polyisobutene, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower, Butylene Glycol, Mica, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Surfactin, Xymenynic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sorbitol, Tin Oxide, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Gold, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 BenzoateTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract is from the Kakadu plum. The Kakadu plum is native to northern Australia. The Kakadu plum holds the record for having the highest amount of natural vitamin C.
This ingredient is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals and thus may reduce the signs of aging.
The high vitamin C content of Kakadu plum also helps lighten skin. Vitamin C has been shown to block the process of skin darkening that leads to hyperpigmentation.
Kakadu plums have been used by indigenous cultures as medicine to help treat colds and as an antiseptic.
Learn more about Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit ExtractWater. 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 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