What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCistus Monspeliensis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSilicone Quaternium-8
Polyquaternium-10
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Cistus Monspeliensis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Maltodextrin, Silicone Quaternium-8, Polyquaternium-10, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Limonene, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingPropanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Silk Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Silk, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Astaxanthin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Caprylyl Glycol, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare.
Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks:
In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen.
The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective.
A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model.
Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums).
Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin.
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Glycerin (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.
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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWe don't have a description for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate yet.
Water. 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