What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbic Acid 2%
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingBisabolol
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Peel Extract
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingRibes Nigrum Leaf Extract
PerfumingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingGlutathione
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingSorbitol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningIndigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingSucrose Stearate
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantMyosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHesperidin
EmollientErgothioneine
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dipropylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid 2%, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Panthenol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Adenosine, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Glutathione, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Beta-Carotene, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hesperidin, Ergothioneine, Ubiquinone, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantErythritol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPantolactone
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingGlutathione
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycereth-26, Erythritol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Carbomer, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Pantolactone, Sodium Citrate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Glutathione, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Gluconolactone, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Linalool
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.
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 preservatives
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAscorbic 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 AcidButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. It is native to Italy.
This ingredient is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.
The term '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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.
However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.
Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathioneGlycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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