What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCreatine
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
MoisturisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantLecithin
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPantolactone
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFarnesol
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Olivate, Caffeine, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Creatine, Dimethiconol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-8, Lecithin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pantolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Farnesol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-20, Caffeine, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Pisum Sativum Extract, Bisabolol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, BHT
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidBHT 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 BHTBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololCaffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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.
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 SorbatePropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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