What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Acetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Mea
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Phytic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Carnitine
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarrageenan
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Dimethyl Mea, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phosphatidylcholine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Xanthan Gum, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Acetyl Tyrosine, Squalane, Phytic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Glycine Soja Oil, Caffeine, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Carnitine, Copper Gluconate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Carrageenan, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Silica, CI 77891, CI 77491, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Xylityl Sesquicaprylate
Antimicrobial
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicPullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalene
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGeraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Isoamyl Laurate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Betaine, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bakuchiol, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Lactobacillus, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Medicago Sativa Extract, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Anhydroxylitol, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Silica, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Sodium Hydroxide, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Farnesol, Citronellol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePotassium 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 SorbateSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol (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 TocopherolWater. 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
