What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Sorbitol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Silica, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Isostearate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Butter, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Trehalose, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium PCA, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Sorbitol, Caffeine, Linoleic Acid, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tapioca Starch
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
Masking
Myrtus Communis Oil
Masking
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Menyanthes Trifoliata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHoney
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tapioca Starch, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Myrtus Communis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Menyanthes Trifoliata Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Honey, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Linoleate, Sucrose Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, PEG-100 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopherol, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Geraniol, Citral
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about CitralDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
