What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tripropylene Glycol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialC20-40 Pareth-10
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xylitol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Pullulan
Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Mannose
HumectantSh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Collagen
Moisturising
Elastin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-29
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-32
Antiseborrhoeic
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Sh-Pentapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Dipeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Antioxidant
Nonapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35
Antioxidant
Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-26
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin Conditioning
Octapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Pentapeptide-13
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1)
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-44
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-32
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-22
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-16
Skin Protecting
Sh-Polypeptide-62
Antioxidant
Water, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tripropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Anhydroxylitol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, C20-40 Pareth-10, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Dna, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Ceramide NP, Sodium Phytate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Phytosterols, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine Triphosphate, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Resveratrol, Pullulan, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Palmitic Acid, C12-14 Alketh-12, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Dextran, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Soluble Collagen, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Myristic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Mannose, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Arachidic Acid, Collagen, Elastin, Glutathione, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Sh-Pentapeptide-1, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, Lauric Acid, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-7, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-26, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Octapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Pentapeptide-13, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1), Tetrapeptide-44, Tetrapeptide-30, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-32, Tripeptide-29, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-62
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate
Emollient
Acetyl Hydroxyproline
EmollientChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Glycogen
HumectantGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBenzophenone-5
UV Absorber
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthyl Oleate
Emollient
Gellan Gum
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTriceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylparaben
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Acetyl Hydroxyproline, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Glycogen, Glycosyl Trehalose, Kojic Acid, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Resveratrol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Pericarp Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Benzophenone-5, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethyl Oleate, Gellan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Laureth-7, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylamide, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Citrate, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Parfum, Caramel, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinResveratrol is a well-studied polyphenol antioxidant that has gained attention in skincare for its protective and calming effects on the skin. It’s often considered a gentler option for people who can’t tolerate retinoids.
This antioxidant is best known for its anti-aging benefits. Research suggests resveratrol helps combat visible signs of aging by:
Beyond anti-aging, resveratrol is also valued for its skin-brightening and soothing properties.
Some forms of resveratrol appear to be more effective than others. Resveratrol isobutyrate and resveratrol butyrate are often cited as more stable derivatives.
Research also suggests these two forms have stronger effects on Type I collagen stimulation and inflammation reduction compared to basic resveratrol.
Resveratrol is naturally unstable and can degrade when exposed to light and oxygen. Well-designed products often use stabilized derivatives, airless or opaque packaging, and supporting antioxidants to help maintain effectiveness on skin.
A note on resveratrol as a retinoid alternative:
While resveratrol offers antioxidant protection, inflammation control, and some collagen-supporting benefits, it does not replace retinoids in terms of cell turnover or acne treatment.
However, it can be a useful option for people with retinoid sensitivity or intolerance, or for those looking to support skin health without irritation.
Fun fact: Resveratrol is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, and berries, which is why it’s frequently associated with wine and grape-derived skincare ingredients.
Learn more about ResveratrolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
