What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Algae Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningNerolidol Isomers
Perfuming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hazelnut Seed Oil Decyl Esters
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPlantago Major Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPlantago Psyllium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Magnolol
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Citrus Limon Peel
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRhizobian Gum
Goat Fat
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sucrose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientNephelium Longana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientStearyl Caprylate
EmollientCetyl Caprylate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Garcinia Mangostana Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Hydrogen
Antioxidant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract
Antioxidant
Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPeucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningAcinos Alpinus Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Daemonorops Draco Extract
AstringentCoral Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Atelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ammonium Phosphate
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Water, Butylene Glycol, 2,3-Butanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Algae Oligosaccharides, Nerolidol Isomers, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Hazelnut Seed Oil Decyl Esters, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Chlorphenesin, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Plantago Major Seed Extract, Plantago Psyllium Seed Extract, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Magnolol, Tranexamic Acid, Citrus Limon Peel, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Phospholipids, Xanthan Gum, Rhizobian Gum, Goat Fat, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbic Acid, Sucrose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Nephelium Longana Seed Extract, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Stearyl Caprylate, Cetyl Caprylate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Garcinia Mangostana Seed Oil, Arbutin, Hydrogen, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Acinos Alpinus Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Carnosine, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Daemonorops Draco Extract, Coral Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Atelocollagen, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ammonium Phosphate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Plankton Extract, Glutathione
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Olus Oil
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingHydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides
EmollientC20-40 Alcohols
EmulsifyingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCera Alba
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Daphne Odora Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Glycerin, Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Stearate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Olus Oil, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, C20-40 Alcohols, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cera Alba, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Cellulose Gum, Parfum, CI 77891, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-8, Caramel, Tocopherol, Retinol, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, CI 15985, Ubiquinone, Lecithin, CI 19140, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, CI 17200, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Benzoic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Eugenol
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. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric 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 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. 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
