What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan
Polygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientRosmarinyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Caffeyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Gallyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tamarindus Indica Seed Extract
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Silybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentCholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-15, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide EOP, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Sodium Anisate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citric Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Benzoate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Levulinate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Amylopectin
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingPalm Glycerides
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids
CleansingFructose
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Panthenol, Inulin, Maltodextrin, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Amylopectin, Capryloyl Glycine, Palm Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids, Fructose, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate
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 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 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 PanthenolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium 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 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 BenzoateWater. 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 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
