What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate
HumectantC12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Soluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Tripropylene Glycol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Ceramide NP, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate, C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soluble Proteoglycan, Polyquaternium-51, Tripropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Hexylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltitol
HumectantPyrus Cydonia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientC12-18 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytol
Emollient
Isomalt
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Maltitol, Pyrus Cydonia Fruit Extract, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, C12-18 Acid Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, Squalane, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Phytol, Isomalt, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide AP, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lactic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Phenoxyethanol 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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 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
