What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Juice Extract
HumectantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRubus Chamaemorus Callus
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolydextrose
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Juice Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice, Saccharide Isomerate, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Callus, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyglutamate, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Polydextrose, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ferulic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Parfum
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSqualane
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientIlex Guayusa Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
PerfumingPullulan
Mannitol
HumectantHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeErgothioneine
AntioxidantWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Squalane, Triethyl Citrate, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Lauroyl Lysine, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Ilex Guayusa Leaf Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Pullulan, Mannitol, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Silica, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ergothioneine
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidCitric 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 AcidGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 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 CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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