What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPoly(2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine-Co-N-Butyl Methacrylate)
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
PPG-17 Butyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventMethicone
Emollient
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Methylparaben
Preservative
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PPG-7 Lauryl Ether
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC16-24 Alkyl C16-24 Acidate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ascorbic Acid, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Poly(2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine-Co-N-Butyl Methacrylate), Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, PPG-17 Butyl Ether, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Methicone, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Hydroxystearate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Methylparaben, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-7 Lauryl Ether, Xanthan Gum, C16-24 Alkyl C16-24 Acidate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentasodium Ethylenediamine Tetramethylene Phosphonate
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-5 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Methyl/Phenyl Polysilsesquioxane
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Arbutin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentasodium Ethylenediamine Tetramethylene Phosphonate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-5 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methyl/Phenyl Polysilsesquioxane, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerBehenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolDipotassium 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 GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
