What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsopentyldiol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningCaviar Oil
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Rugosa Leaf Extract
HumectantLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingMannose
HumectantSodium Mannose Phosphate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCarrageenan
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGalactaric Acid
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCalcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSd Alcohol 40-B
AstringentParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Algin, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caviar Extract, Caviar Oil, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Rosa Rugosa Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Glycine, Mannose, Sodium Mannose Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carrageenan, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Galactaric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Parfum, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientResveratrol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientMaltitol
HumectantLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantXylitylglucoside
HumectantLecithin
EmollientAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingXylitol
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentSodium Phytate
Glucose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAlanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
MaskingOligopeptide-177
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingSisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cellulose, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Resveratrol, Squalane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Maltitol, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Lecithin, Anhydroxylitol, Citric Acid, Xylitol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Phytate, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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