What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
C9-12 Alkane
SolventOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientLecithin
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf/Stem Extract
Antimicrobial
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Lavandula Oil/Extract
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Piper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingTetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Arginine, Chlorphenesin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Lecithin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Citric Acid, Menthoxypropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf/Stem Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lavandula Oil/Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Stearic Acid, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycosphingolipids
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Rhodiola Rosea Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Dextran
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentAcanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRhaponticum Carthamoides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Eugenol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Rhodiola Rosea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Tocopherol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Dextran, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Rhaponticum Carthamoides Root Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool
Alternatives
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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
