What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlgin
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantBisabolol
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cellulose
AbsorbentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Coffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Arundinaria Gigantea Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Lecithin
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Maris Aqua
HumectantMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Moisturising
Serine
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Yogurt
Skin ProtectingYogurt Powder
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Algin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbic Acid, CI 77120, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Citric Acid, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Jojoba Esters, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus/Arundinaria Gigantea Ferment Filtrate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Maris Aqua, Mica, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Potassium Phosphate, Pullulan, Saccharide Isomerate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Serine, Silica, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Urea, Yogurt, Yogurt Powder, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Mannose
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Paraffin
Perfuming
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion Stabilising
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingToluene Sulfonic Acid
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Mannose, Butylene Glycol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Paraffin, Cera Microcristallina, Madecassoside, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Xanthan Gum, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol
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 AcidButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
