What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Squalane
Emollient
Tourmaline
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Morus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-6
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Isohexadecane
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Algae Extract, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Plankton Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Squalane, Tourmaline, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 80, Cholesterol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Yeast Extract, Alcohol Denat., Hexylene Glycol, PEG-6, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Polysorbate 20, Ergothioneine, Isohexadecane, Tromethamine, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citric Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-150
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Methylparaben
Preservative
Illite Extract
Skin Conditioning
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
