What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Carrageenan, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Saccharide Isomerate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phosphate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Maris Sal, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Eriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Arachidyl Alcohol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Eriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Glucose, Chondrus Crispus Extract
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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
