What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDextran
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Seed Oil
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Panthenol, Propanediol, Dextran, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Caffeine, Psidium Guajava Seed Oil, Biotin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitol
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialApigenin
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Panthenol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caffeine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitol, Lactic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Xanthan Gum, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Glycine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Zinc Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic 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 PanthenolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 BenzoateWater. 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. 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