What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLactobionic Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingBisabolol
MaskingLecithin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Lactobionic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Triethanolamine, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLecithin
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMenthyl PCA
HumectantLactamide Mea
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingSodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialGuaiazulene
AntimicrobialMenthane Carboxamide Ethylpyridine
Parfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Dimethicone, Menthyl PCA, Lactamide Mea, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Steareth-20, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Guaiazulene, Menthane Carboxamide Ethylpyridine, Parfum, Citronellol, Limonene, Alcohol
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 AcidCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
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 feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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