What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOleyl Erucate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCanola Oil
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientBetaine
HumectantVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Oat Kernel Oil
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oleyl Erucate, Propanediol, Canola Oil, Myristyl Myristate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Betaine, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, C12-16 Alcohols, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Oat Kernel Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Maris Sal, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventOlus Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingOleyl Erucate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingPinene
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Olus Oil, Glycerin, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Cetyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Niacinamide, Oleyl Erucate, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Heptyl Undecylenate, Pentylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Polyglutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Cellulose Gum, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalool, Citral, Pinene, Parfum
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilOleyl Erucate is created from oleyl alcohol and erucic acid. It mainly functions as an emollient.
Emollients help soften and hydrate the skin by forming a lightweight film on skin that reduces water loss and improves feel.
In some cases, Oleyl Erucate is used as a solvent or dispersing agent to help make formulations easier to spread.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Oleyl ErucatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWe don't have a description for Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice yet.
Water. 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 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