What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Calcium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Trehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Lysinate/Prolinate
Skin ConditioningMethylglucoside Phosphate
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGeraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trehalose, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Polyglutamic Acid, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Glycine Soja Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Adenosine, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Oleyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Gluconolactone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Geraniol, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
