What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Jojoba Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Eugenol, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Seed Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Pectin
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Moisturising
Reseda Luteola Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
Perfuming
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Boswellia Carterii Gum Oil
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Saccharide Isomerate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Beta-Glucan, Ectoin, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed Oil, Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Pectin, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Reseda Luteola Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Anisate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Boswellia Carterii Gum Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Citral, Citronellol, Linalool, Limonene
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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. 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
