What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC13-15 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Algin
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Moisturising
Serine
Masking
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingYogurt Powder
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, 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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLinolenic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientAroma
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Phytate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Triacetin
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycereth-26, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Linoleic Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Linolenic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Citrate, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Aroma, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Phytate, Hyaluronic Acid, Triacetin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 15985, CI 19140
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 AcidBenzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 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 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
