What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Stearate
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOleth-2
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSea Water
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingLecithin
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Oleth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sea Water, Stearic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Carbomer, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Chlorphenesin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Sorbic Acid, CI 16035, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Honey
HumectantHydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Honey, Hydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein, Punica Granatum Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Polysorbate 20, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract comes from the watermelon. Watermelon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Watermelons are rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and lycopene. It also contains sugars and amino acids, such as arginine and glutathione.
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant. Besides helping to protect your skin against free-radical molecules, it also helps soothe the skin. Lycopene gives watermelon the distinct red color.
Learn more about Citrullus Lanatus Fruit ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATocopheryl 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