What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentKaolin
Abrasive
Punica Granatum Seed Powder
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Alcohol Denat., Glycolic Acid, Distarch Phosphate, Kaolin, Punica Granatum Seed Powder, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Hydroxide, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Panthenol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Yogurt
Skin ProtectingHexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Algin
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Gallyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Lecithin
Emollient
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Maris Aqua
HumectantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPhenylpropanol
Masking
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingPropyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Pullulan
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Yogurt, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Squalane, C14-22 Alcohols, Isoamyl Laurate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C10-18 Triglycerides, PEG-100 Stearate, Algin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Lecithin, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Maris Aqua, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenylpropanol, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Phosphate, Propyl Gallate, Pullulan, Saccharide Isomerate, Serine, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Urea, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 AcidPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
