What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Pvp, Xylitylglucoside, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Anhydroxylitol, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sea Water
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Magnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingZinc PCA
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Silica, Pvp, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sea Water, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Magnesium Carbonate, Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Zinc PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidCitric 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.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 PropanediolPvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpWater. 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
