What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPolyacrylate-13
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polyisobutene
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantLinoleic Acid
CleansingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Water, Glycerin, Water, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-26, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Simethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Parfum, Polyacrylate-13, Glycine Soja Oil, Disodium EDTA, Polyisobutene, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Alpha-Arbutin, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Pyridoxine, Ubiquinone, Biotin, Folic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cyanocobalamin, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Linoleic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rutin, Hydroxycinnamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingAmyl Acetate
MaskingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Methylpropanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Behenyl Alcohol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Stearic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitic Acid, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Arachidyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Troxerutin, Decyl Glucoside, Cyclopentasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Tocopherol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Lauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Amyl Acetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 AcidAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidAscorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient is a more stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate as quickly when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is oil soluble.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water