What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingPiperonyl Glucoside
Skin ProtectingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Algin
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOleic Acid
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantLinolenic Acid
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycolic Acid
BufferingGalactoarabinan
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Linoleic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Beta-Glucan, Magnesium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Piperonyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Polysilicone-11, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Algin, Xanthan Gum, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, CI 77288, Linolenic Acid, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycolic Acid, Galactoarabinan, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantMethylheptyl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingTulipa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientAtractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCholecalciferol
Tocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSucrose
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Propanediol, Betaine, Methylheptyl Isostearate, Undecane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Tulipa Hybrid Flower Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cholecalciferol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Lactate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Lecithin, Tridecane, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sucrose, Zea Mays Starch, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 PropanediolSodium 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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 Water