What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polybutene
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Arginine
Masking
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Cellulose
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Acacia Senegal Gum, Synthetic Wax, Polybutene, Pvp, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Arginine, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Plankton Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-17/Ipdi/Dmpa Copolymer
Kaolin
Abrasive
Cera Alba
Emollient
Polyurethane-35
Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Methylpropanediol
SolventMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cellulose
Absorbent
Hectorite
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glycerin
Humectant
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PPG-17/Ipdi/Dmpa Copolymer, Kaolin, Cera Alba, Polyurethane-35, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Methylpropanediol, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitol, Potassium Sorbate, Cellulose, Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Tropolone, CI 77499
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 GlycolCellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseCi 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 SorbateTocopherol 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
