What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Mannose
HumectantSodium Mannose Phosphate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingRetinyl Linoleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientP-Anisic Acid
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Trideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalene
Emollient
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Mannose, Sodium Mannose Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Bisabolol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Lysolecithin, Retinyl Linoleate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, P-Anisic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thioctic Acid, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Phytic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pullulan
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Iron Oxides
Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Water, CI 77163, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Mica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Isododecane, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Pullulan, Lysolecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrated Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides
Reviews
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Lysolecithin yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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 Water
