What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Silanetriol
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Citrate, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Gigartina Stellata/Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Jasminum Sambac Flower
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Lauryl Lactate
EmollientIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Tricaprylin, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Resveratrol, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Jojoba Esters, Gigartina Stellata/Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Squalane, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Jasminum Sambac Flower, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Lauryl Lactate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Bacillus Ferment, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isohexadecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Caprylate, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.聽
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives聽
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Citric 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.聽
It鈥檚 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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 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
