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 ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
Buffering4-Terpineol
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silk Amino Acids
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDiatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Menthol, Caffeine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phosphate, 4-Terpineol, Betaine, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Lecithin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Gluconolactone, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Diatomaceous Earth, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dna, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Propolis Extract, Parfum
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
