What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientOleyl Erucate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningRosa Chinensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Oleyl Erucate, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Ceramide NP, Rosa Chinensis Flower Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethiconol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglycerin-3, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSucrose
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientOleth-10
EmulsifyingSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Tromethamine
BufferingPEG-8
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Trisiloxane, Trehalose, Sucrose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Caffeine, Sorbitol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleth-10, Sodium Polyaspartate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tromethamine, PEG-8, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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