What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingErythritol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArginine
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveIllite
AbrasiveCollagen
MoisturisingScenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSqualane
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Erythritol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Kaolin, Illite, Collagen, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Squalane, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentNelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialAngelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidLeuconostoc/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 FiltratePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium 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 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 BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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