What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ascorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantPullulan
Glyceryl Ascorbate
AntioxidantBehenic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientCeteareth-25
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Cholesterol, Squalane, Retinol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Carnosine, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Pullulan, Glyceryl Ascorbate, Behenic Acid, Dimethicone, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ceteareth-25, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-6, Propyl Gallate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trehalose
HumectantSucrose
HumectantAlgae Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingErgothioneine
AntioxidantThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl PCA
HumectantOleth-10
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCyclodextrin
AbsorbentTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trehalose, Sucrose, Algae Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Ergothioneine, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Artemia Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Lauryl PCA, Oleth-10, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Sodium PCA, Urea, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Cyclodextrin, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 42090
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 Water