What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSantalum Album Extract
CleansingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Glucose
HumectantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPEG-75 Stearate
Isohexadecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethyl Citrate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethylhydroxy Furanone
MaskingVanillin
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Riboflavin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bakuchiol, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Phytate, Glucose, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 80, PEG-75 Stearate, Isohexadecane, Phenoxyethanol, Triethyl Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethylhydroxy Furanone, Vanillin, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSucrose Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientOlus Oil
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingHydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides
EmollientC20-40 Alcohols
EmulsifyingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCera Alba
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningDaphne Odora Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantNicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantUbiquinone
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantBenzoic Acid
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGlycerin, Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Stearate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Olus Oil, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, C20-40 Alcohols, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cera Alba, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Cellulose Gum, Parfum, CI 77891, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-8, Caramel, Tocopherol, Retinol, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, CI 15985, Ubiquinone, Lecithin, CI 19140, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, CI 17200, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Benzoic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Eugenol
Reviews
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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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