What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Undecane
Emollient2,3-Butanediol
HumectantTridecane
Perfuming
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Magnesium Sulfate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Passiflora Incarnata Water
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Extract
Perfuming
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Terpineol
Masking
Sepiolite
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Pinene
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCurcumin
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Vanillin
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Undecane, 2,3-Butanediol, Tridecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Passiflora Incarnata Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Diglycerin, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Parfum, Levulinic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Levulinate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Terpineol, Sepiolite, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Pinene, Sodium Hydroxide, Curcumin, Linalool, Vanillin, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Morus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Trametes Versicolor Extract
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Prunus Domestica
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isohexadecane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientArginine
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Pentylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Molasses Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Salicylic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Faex Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Sorbitol, Cholesterol, Phospholipids, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-6, Glycerin, Sucrose, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isohexadecane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Arginine, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Sodium Rna, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 80, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G) is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives out there.
It's made by attaching a glucose molecule to ascorbic acid; this glucose "cap" shields the vitamin C from air, light, heat, and metal ions that normally cause pure ascorbic acid to oxidize.
Once on your skin, the enzyme alpha-glucosidase snips off the glucose and gradually releases active ascorbic acid right where it's needed. Basically, it behaves like a slow-release pro-vitamin C with less of a stinging that high-strength ascorbic acid can cause.
The research supports the classic vitamin C benefits as well. In lab and human studies, AA-2G slowed down the skin's production of melanin (the pigment behind dark spots) and helped shield skin cells against sun damage better than ascorbyl phosphate.
These studies also showed AA-2G released vitamin C over a longer period.
A frequently cited manufacturer trial found that a 2% AA-2G face cream significantly improved wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 45 days.
And in 2009, a clinical trial showed it meaningfully lightened dark patches on the gums compared to a placebo.
There's also collagen-synthesis support (since vitamin C is a required cofactor for that) and an antioxidant effect too.
Typical usage is usually between 0.5-5% and most studies/products land around 2%.
AA-2G performs best when formulated at a mildly acidic pH (~5-7) which is much gentler than the pH that pure vitamin C demands (~2.5-3.5).
Just one thing worth knowing: the in-skin conversation rate is only about 55-60% by weight. So a 5% AA-2G product delivers roughly 2.75-3% of actual active vitamin C. On top of that, skin absorption is relatively low because the ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium 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
