What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Genistein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
Cleansing
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 20, Dimethiconol, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Phospholipids, Carnosine, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Genistein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sphingolipids, Ferulic Acid, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Quercetin, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ribose
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningEllagic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientSodium Mannose Phosphate
HumectantMannose
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Copper Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sea Water
HumectantC13-15 Alkane
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTropolone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ectoin, Ribose, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Ellagic Acid, Ubiquinone, Lactobacillus Ferment, Inulin, Lecithin, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Asiaticoside, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Sodium Mannose Phosphate, Mannose, Lysine, Proline, Copper Sulfate, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sea Water, C13-15 Alkane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Sclerotium Gum, Tropolone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, 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.
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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 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
