What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientResveratrol
AntioxidantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientRetinal
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-400, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Resveratrol, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polyacrylamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Retinal, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-7, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Silica, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingZea Mays Kernel Extract
Squalane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Ricinoleate
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantAnigozanthos Flavidus Extract
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingMannitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHectorite
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Diisostearyl Malate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Squalane, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Retinal, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Mannitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Parfum
Reviews
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalWater. 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