What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Carbomer, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingAlgae Extract
EmollientCholesterol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 61565
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Sucrose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Algae Extract, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Trehalose, Acetyl Glucosamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyaspartate, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Dextrin Palmitate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Benzophenone-4, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 61565
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCitric 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 (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
