What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isododecane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientMica
Cosmetic Colorant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Erythrulose
TanningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Stevioside
MaskingGlucose
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triacetin
AntimicrobialBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Aroma
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Squalane, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Coconut Alkanes, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Mica, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Silica, Cetearyl Methicone, Ascorbic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Erythrulose, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Stevioside, Glucose, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, Sodium Citrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysilicone-11, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Triacetin, Benzyl Benzoate, Parfum, Aroma, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77491, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide 17%
Cosmetic Colorant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Buddleja Davidii Callus Extract
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Water, Zinc Oxide 17%, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium PCA, Buddleja Davidii Callus Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Isostearic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Bisabolol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Salicylate
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 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 CitrateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. 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
