What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silicone Quaternium-22
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Quaternium-95
UV AbsorberCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Malachite Extract
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Tilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Parfum, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Lauryl Glucoside, PEG-8 Laurate, Sodium PCA, Potassium Hydroxide, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Silicone Quaternium-22, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-4, C12-16 Alcohols, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mentha Piperita Oil, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Quaternium-95, Caffeine, Acer Saccharum Extract, Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Citrate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Malachite Extract, Alcohol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tin Oxide, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Citronellyl Methylcrotonate
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Mannitol
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Mannitol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Lactic Acid, Potassium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 Water
