What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
HumectantBetaine
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Arginine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningZinc Aspartate
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantChitosan
Propyl Gallate
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPolyquaternium-4
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCI 42053
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Sorbitol, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Lysine, Glutamic Acid, Rice Amino Acids, Zinc Aspartate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Propyl Gallate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Benzophenone-4, Polyquaternium-4, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene, Linalool, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Parfum, CI 42053
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingTranexamic Acid
Astringent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingOctanediol
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientLactobionic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantFullerenes
AntimicrobialArbutin
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Trehalose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Panthenol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, C12-14 Pareth-12, Tranexamic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Octanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Lactobionic Acid, Glyceryl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyanocobalamin, Pvp, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Fullerenes, Arbutin, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Phytosterols, Ascorbyl Glucoside
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 AcidBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilCitrus Grandis Peel Oil is an essential oil that is derived from the peel of a Grapefruit. It is composed largely of limonene, which is a fragrance that can cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAWater. 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