What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Swiftlet Nest Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningAdenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Arginine
Masking
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Colloidal Gold
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Citrus Junos Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycereth-26, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Ectoin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, Sodium Polyglutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Acetyl Tyrosine, Proline, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Adenosine Triphosphate, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Arginine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Copper Tripeptide-1, Colloidal Gold, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caffeine, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Citrus Junos Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil
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.
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 GlycerinPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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
