What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Silicate
BufferingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Magnesium Fluorosilicate
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Silicate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Magnesium Fluorosilicate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Dipeptide-2, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Retinyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Medicago Sativa Seed Extract, Carrageenan, Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Steareth-20, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Carbomer, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLecithin
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventPolyurethane-10
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isohexadecane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingBHT
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Niacinamide, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triheptanoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lecithin, Tromethamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caffeine, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, C9-12 Alkane, Polyurethane-10, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Panthenol, Sucrose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Retinol, Lauroyl Lysine, Carbomer, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 80, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Decyl Glucoside, BHT, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ethoxydiglycol, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ferulic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Centella Asiatica Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Sodium Phosphate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 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 BenzoateTocopheryl 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
