What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentMenthyl Lactate
MaskingParfum
Masking
Epilobium Fleischeri Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Cetearyl Olivate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Olivate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Menthyl Lactate, Parfum, Epilobium Fleischeri Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Salicylate, Tocopherol, CI 19140, CI 42090, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Steareth-20
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sucrose Dilaurate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSantalum Album Wood Extract
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Berberis Vulgaris Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Calcium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Tribehenin, Glycerin, Steareth-20, Steareth-2, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Sucrose Dilaurate, Octyldodecanol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Pisum Sativum Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Bark Extract, P-Anisic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Superoxide Dismutase, Calcium Ascorbate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract
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.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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
