What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicEthylparaben
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningDimethicone, Water, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Laurate, Salicylic Acid, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Medicago Sativa Extract, Ethylparaben, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCitrus Grandis
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Nobilis
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMicrocitrus Australis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCitrus Glauca Fruit Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ascorbic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Citrus Grandis, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Nobilis, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Caffeine, Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Beta-Carotene, Lecithin, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Retinol, Xanthan Gum, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Punica Granatum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water