What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC13-15 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMenthyl Lactate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Salicylic Acid
MaskingSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientSerine
MaskingSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingYogurt Powder
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, C13-15 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Algin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus, Lauroyl Lysine, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Menthyl Lactate, Panthenol, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Potassium Phosphate, Pullulan, Salicylic Acid, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Serine, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trehalose, Urea, Xanthan Gum, Yogurt Powder, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventUndecane
EmollientDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolymethyl Methacrylate
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentPolyamide-3
Tridecane
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenylpropanol
MaskingSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingYogurt Powder
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Isoamyl Laurate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Triheptanoin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Undecane, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Distarch Phosphate, Polyamide-3, Tridecane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Yogurt Powder, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Parfum, Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium Phosphate is a water-soluble powder used as a pH adjuster and mild chelating agent. It basically holds a specific pH and binds stray metal ions so your product stays stable.
This ingredient is usually used at very low levels and concentrations range from 0.000054% - 2.9%. The CIR Expert Panel states this ingredient to be non-irritating at current use levels.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWe don't have a description for Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan yet.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 GumWe don't have a description for Yogurt Powder yet.
Zingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.
Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.
The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:
This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.
Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root Extract