What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Secale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Propanediol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Propylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Behenyl Alcohol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Dimethiconol, Caffeine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Biotin, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ellagic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingMannitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
BHA
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ellagic Acid, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Retinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Phosphatidylcholine, Mannitol, Lecithin, Cholesterol, BHA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, BHT, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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.
Potassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolWater. 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
