What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
SolventCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenylpropanol
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Heptyl Undecylenate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Methylpropanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Distarch Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phenylpropanol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningResveratrol Dimethyl Ether
AntioxidantQuercetin
AntioxidantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantLecithin
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialDimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantTriethanolamine
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Resveratrol Dimethyl Ether, Quercetin, Behenyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Mica, Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Triethanolamine, Laureth-7, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Cholate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, CI 15985, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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.
Learn more about CitralDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl 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