What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientIsopropyl Oleate
EmollientIsopropyl Sorbate
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Glutathione
Glycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Ionol
Perfuming
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Chitosan
Pullulan
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Chloride
MaskingVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Isopropyl Oleate, Isopropyl Sorbate, Polysorbate 60, Glutathione, Glycerin, Alpha-Ionol, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Chitosan, Pullulan, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Sodium
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Octyldodecanol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Tin Oxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Myristate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, Parfum
Reviews
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 Water
