What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.3%, Octocrylene 3%, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-8, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
CI 77947
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Gossypium Herbaceum Flower Extract
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningEuphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Juice Extract
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Lecithin
Emollient
Sucrose
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Trehalose
Humectant
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientSucrose Polystearate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, CI 77947, Zea Mays Starch, Gossypium Herbaceum Flower Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Saccharum Officinarum Juice Extract, Jojoba Esters, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Kaolin, Lecithin, Sucrose, Fructose, Glucose, Inositol, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Trehalose, Glyceryl Laurate, Potassium Sorbate, Sucrose Stearate, Sucrose Polystearate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium PCA, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol
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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
