What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Eisenia Bicyclis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Astaxanthin, Eisenia Bicyclis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl Glycol, P-Anisic Acid, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG-3 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Diglycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingPEG-5 Stearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Trimethylsilyl Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium Etidronate
Emulsion StabilisingHoney
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Alpha-Glucan
HumectantHydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Methyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningBeheneth-30
CleansingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glucosyl Ceramide
Skin Conditioning
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingHoney Extract
Humectant
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Geranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Nasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Juice
CleansingHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialZizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Limon Juice
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Squalane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, PEG-3 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Diglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Tristearate, PEG-5 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Batyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Glucoside, Trimethylsilyl Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Myristic Acid, Lecithin, Dextrin, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Honey, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alpha-Glucan, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Methyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate, Beheneth-30, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glucosyl Ceramide, Behenic Acid, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium PCA, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Propolis Extract, Glucose, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Bioflavonoids, Citrus Aurantifolia Juice, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Ceramide Ng, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Citrus Limon Juice, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol
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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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 Water
