What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
PEG-10 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Exfoliating
Phyllostachys Edulis Shoot Water
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantBamboo Vinegar
AntimicrobialCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Polyethylene, Parfum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Phyllostachys Edulis Shoot Water, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Water, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, CI 19140, CI 42090, Bamboo Vinegar
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningKluyveromyces/Lactobacillus/Lactococcus/Leuconostoc/Saccharomyces Milk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Kluyveromyces/Lactobacillus/Lactococcus/Leuconostoc/Saccharomyces Milk Ferment Filtrate, Ceramide NP, Algae Extract, Lactic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 BenzoateSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateWater. 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
