What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
AntioxidantIsohexadecane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Betaine, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isododecane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Tocopherol, Isohexadecane, Trehalose, Panthenol, Polysorbate 80, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantC13-15 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetyl Esters
EmollientSqualane
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSodium PCA
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Esters, Squalane, Stearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium PCA, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Hydroxyproline, Proline, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chlorphenesin, Panthenol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
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 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 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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