What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyester-5
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Arachidonate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Pvp, Phenoxyethanol, Polyester-5, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Biotin, Retinyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingDiglycerin
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vp/Va Copolymer
Sorbitol
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sea Water
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pvp, Diglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vp/Va Copolymer, Sorbitol, Ascorbic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sea Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglutamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Carbonate
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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.Â
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 PropanediolPvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpWater. 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
