What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Tribehenin
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-94
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-95
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Propanediol, Octocrylene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Tribehenin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Propylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Medicago Sativa Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-94, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-95
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Enteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingSilybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Propanediol, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Sodium Phytate, Lactic Acid, Arginine
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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
