What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Acrylates Copolymer
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Alum
AstringentSodium Lactate
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
Masking
Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Zinc
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Cholesterol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Acrylates Copolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Cocoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Alum, Sodium Lactate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Arginine, Cyanocobalamin, Aspartic Acid, Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Glycine, Alanine, Gluconolactone, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Zinc, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Serine, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Proline, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Glucose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosterols, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingDisteareth-75 Ipdi
Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Farnesol
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Disteareth-75 Ipdi, Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Farnesol, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Gluconolactone, Sodium Phytate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidGluconolactone 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 GlycerinChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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
