What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Oleyl Adapalenate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Albatrellus Confluens Extract
Humectant
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Glyceryl Ether
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Naringin
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Retinal, Oleyl Adapalenate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyapatite, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Glyceryl Ether, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Isopropyl Myristate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Hydroxystearic Acid, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Oleate, Naringin, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isocetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Pentylene Glycol, C15-19 Alkane, Cetyl Alcohol, Betaine, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isocetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 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 GlycerinSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 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
