What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phytonadione Epoxide
AstringentLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylpropanol
Masking
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Cordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Trametes Versicolor Extract
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Phospholipids, Phytonadione Epoxide, Linoleic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Niacinamide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenylpropanol, Linolenic Acid, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Bisabolol, Sorbitol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauryl Laurate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Madecassoside, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylyl 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, 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 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 GlycerinLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc. The trade name for this ingredient is Leucidal.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltratePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
