What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polysilicone-11
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Silica
Abrasive
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLaureth-12
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Cera
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Polysilicone-11, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Lactobionic Acid, Silica, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Triheptanoin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Laureth-12, Propanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Cera
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Methylglucamine
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil Ethyl Esters, Hyaluronic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Propanediol, Carbomer, Triheptanoin, C13-15 Alkane, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Methylglucamine, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C13-15 Alkane is a group of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
It is a solvent and texture enhancer. Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolWe don't have a description for Triheptanoin 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
