What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Rice Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Mannitol
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Algin
Masking
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide, Ferulic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rice Amino Acids, Proline, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Triheptanoin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Algin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Parfum
Masking
Fructose
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Escin
TonicTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantHippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract
MaskingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHarungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingMangifera Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Dipsacus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Arundo Donax Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMalpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArbutus Unedo Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Squalane, Hexyl Laurate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Parfum, Fructose, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Escin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil Unsaponifiables, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caramel, Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract, Sodium Lactate, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Mangifera Indica Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Dipsacus Sylvestris Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Arundo Donax Stem Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Arbutus Unedo Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, CI 14700, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Reviews
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 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
