What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDimethiconol
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
AntioxidantCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAgar
MaskingPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPapain
Skin ConditioningCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingPropanediol
SolventHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingRaffinose
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantArginine
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Vinyldimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dimethiconol, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Agar, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Retinol, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Mannitol, Papain, Collagen Amino Acids, Propanediol, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Raffinose, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Bromelain, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHoney
HumectantRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLigustrum Japonicum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingBuddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trideceth-6, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Sorbitan Stearate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, PEG-40 Stearate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Beeswax, Diisostearyl Malate, Dimethicone, Squalane, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Honey, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ligustrum Japonicum Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideWater. 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 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