What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-35 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientSecale Cereale Seed Extract
AbrasiveBoswellia Serrata Gum
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningTripleurospermum Maritimum Extract
Skin ProtectingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSucrose Palmitate
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingBHA
AntioxidantTriethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Triethylhexanoin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Silica, Retinyl Palmitate, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Citric Acid, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Tocopherol, Sucrose Palmitate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, T-Butyl Alcohol, BHA, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyisobutene
Calcium Ketogluconate
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Calcium Ketogluconate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silica, Sodium Bisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Zea Mays Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium PCA, Niacinamide, Sodium Benzoate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycosaminoglycans, Citric Acid
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 AcidCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a powder used to improve texture, slip, and give products a silky texture.
Phenoxyethanol 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 SorbateRetinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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