What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Oleate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Juice Extract
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Oleate, Glycerin, Betaine, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Juice Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Gluconolactone, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycine Soja Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDecyl Cocoate
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Decyl Cocoate, Canola Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Betaine, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Alcohol Denat., Xanthan Gum, Palmitic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycine Soja Oil, Superoxide Dismutase, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilHelianthus 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 OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 ExtractCloudberry seed oil is rich in vitamin C, citric acid, malic acid, vitamin C, and beta-carotene.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water