What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningErythrulose
TanningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Erythrulose, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Polysorbate 80, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningErythrulose
TanningGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Carrageenan
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Dihydroxyacetone, Erythrulose, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Carrageenan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tocopherol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
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 AcidDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneWe don't have a description for Erythrulose yet.
Glycerin (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 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.
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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
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. 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
