What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantSaccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Extract
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Solanum Lycopersicum Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Alcohol
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, 2,3-Butanediol, Saccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucose, Rosa Damascena Extract, Gluconolactone, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lactic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, Solanum Lycopersicum Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Decyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Diglycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitol
Humectant
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentErythritol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Isopentyldiol, Propanediol, Diglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, 2,3-Butanediol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Erythritol, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Gold, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Citronellol, Geraniol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77400
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
2,3-Butanediol is a naturally occurring humectant and solvent. It's created from fermentation and can be found in foods like cocoa butter and sweet corn.
This ingredient attracts and holds onto moisture to boost hydration in skin. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient improves the spreadability of ingredients like vitamin C.
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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
