What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycol Stearate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Algae Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
