What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone 1%
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Manganese Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Disodium EDTA
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Acetylated Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone 1%, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trihydroxystearin, Zinc Gluconate, Madecassoside, Manganese Gluconate, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Copper Gluconate, Citric Acid, Acetylated Glycol Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Titanium Dioxide
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualene
Emollient
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Caffeyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Rhamnose
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glucuronic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyester-7, Aminomethyl Propanol, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Sitosterol, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Lecithin, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Squalene, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caffeyl Glucoside, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Glucose, Glycerin, Phytic Acid, Rhamnose, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Glucuronic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lysolecithin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polysorbate 60, Propanediol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Alternatives
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
