What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGuanosine
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Silylate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Isohexadecane
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Geraniol
Perfuming
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Pentylene Glycol, CI 77891, Guanosine, Mica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Stearic Acid, Adenosine, Caffeine, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Silica Silylate, Palmitic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Boron Nitride, Ferulic Acid, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Myristic Acid, Geraniol, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG-8
HumectantHoney
Humectant
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Carrageenan
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Octyldodecanol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PEG-8, Honey, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Phospholipids, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Dicaprylyl Ether, Gluconolactone, Carbomer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sphingolipids, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Allantoin, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Glucose, Fructooligosaccharides, Carrageenan
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, Octyldodecanol helps prevent the oils and waters from separating. It also prevents ingredients from creating foam when shaken.
Octyldodecanol is created by reducing fatty acid to an alcohol.
Due to its high molecular weight, it does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about OctyldodecanolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
