What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Algae Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
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
Antimicrobial
Plantago 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 Conditioning
3-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 ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf 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
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Daemonorops Draco Extract
AstringentZea Mays Kernel Extract
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ammonium Phosphate
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Water, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Algae Oligosaccharides, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 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, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Carnosine, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Daemonorops Draco Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Atelocollagen, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ammonium Phosphate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Plankton Extract, Glutathione
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Phragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiglycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Α-Olefin Oligomer
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Erythritol
Humectant
Beheneth-5
EmulsifyingMethicone
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Methacrylic Acid/Sodium Acrylamidomethyl Propane Sulfonate Copolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tranexamic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glutamic Acid, Phragmites Karka Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diglycerin, Silica, Behenyl Alcohol, Α-Olefin Oligomer, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Erythritol, Beheneth-5, Methicone, Petrolatum, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Batyl Alcohol, PEG-8, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Methacrylic Acid/Sodium Acrylamidomethyl Propane Sulfonate Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Sodium Citrate, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Metaphosphate, Succinoglycan, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol
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 GlycolCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
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 AcidGlycerin (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 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTranexamic Acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine derivative that is becoming one of the most exciting brightening ingredients in skincare.
Originally used in medicine as an anti-hemorrhagic agent, its skin brightening potential was discovered by accident; patients taking it orally started noticing their melasma was fading.
Unlike most brighteners that target tyrosinase (the enzyme that synthesizes melanin), TXA works further upstream. It basically blocks your cells from receiving the signal to produce pigment.
This makes it one of the rare actives that works on three pathways at once:
This makes it effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots.
The most effective cosmetic concentration sits between 2-5% and going higher doesn't boost results.
Side effects are generally mild; occasional irritation, flaking, or dryness have been reported at the start of use. Overall, this ingredient is pretty well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it does not cause photosensitivity, so it's safe to use in the AM and PM.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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
