What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Trideceth-5
EmulsifyingTrideceth-2 Carboxamide Mea
Hydrolyzed Oats
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-2
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Pentasodium Pentetate
Oleamide
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Octanediol
Ceteareth-7
Emulsifying
Oleth-25
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hexadimethrine Chloride
Parfum
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Deceth-5
EmulsifyingLaureth-8
EmulsifyingPPG-12
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingOleth-2
EmulsifyingPPG-30
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Ethanolamine
BufferingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-4
HumectantAmino Esters-2
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
P-Aminophenol
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Methylal
Solvent2-Methyl-5-Hydroxyethylaminophenol
Ammonium Thiolactate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Proline
Skin ConditioningP-Phenylenediamine
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingThreonine
Resorcinol
Antioxidant
EDTA
Hydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium Etidronate
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Amodimethicone
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPPG-6
Skin ConditioningChlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
Antimicrobial
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Trideceth-5, Trideceth-2 Carboxamide Mea, Hydrolyzed Oats, Polyquaternium-2, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Pentasodium Pentetate, Oleamide, Ceramide AP, Octanediol, Ceteareth-7, Oleth-25, Citric Acid, Hexadimethrine Chloride, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Deceth-5, Laureth-8, PPG-12, Ammonium Hydroxide, Oleth-2, PPG-30, Lauric Acid, Glycol Distearate, Ethanolamine, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, CI 77891, PEG-4, Amino Esters-2, BHT, P-Aminophenol, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Methylal, 2-Methyl-5-Hydroxyethylaminophenol, Ammonium Thiolactate, Dimethicone, Proline, P-Phenylenediamine, Carbomer, Threonine, Resorcinol, EDTA, Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Salicylate, Phosphoric Acid, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Isopropyl Alcohol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Sodium PCA, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PPG-6, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Soluble Collagen, Panthenol, Candelilla Cera, Cetrimonium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethanolamine
Buffering2-Methoxymethyl-P-Phenylenediamine
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Resorcinol
Antioxidant
2-Methylresorcinol
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingSteareth-200
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingM-Aminophenol
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
4-Amino-2-Hydroxytoluene
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl-3,4-Methylenedioxyaniline Hcl
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Hydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingSodium Stannate
StabilisingEtidronic Acid
Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy Amodimethicone
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
EDTA
Histidine
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Magnesium Nitrate
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Ethanolamine, 2-Methoxymethyl-P-Phenylenediamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Resorcinol, 2-Methylresorcinol, Citric Acid, Parfum, Sodium Sulfite, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Steareth-200, Xanthan Gum, M-Aminophenol, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, Disodium EDTA, 4-Amino-2-Hydroxytoluene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl-3,4-Methylenedioxyaniline Hcl, Paraffinum Liquidum, Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Salicylic Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Disodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Stannate, Etidronic Acid, Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy Amodimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glutamic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, EDTA, Histidine, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Magnesium Nitrate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 AcidBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric 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 AcidEDTA is the shortened name for ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. It is a chelating agent and used to stabilize products.
Chelating Agents are used to prevent trace metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This can prevent unwanted reactions or changed efficacy of products.
We don't have a description for Ethanolamine yet.
We don't have a description for Hydrogen Peroxide yet.
Parfum 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 ParfumPhosphoric acid is used to adjust the pH of products.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolResorcinol is an antioxidant and is a fragrance.
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
