What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing4-Terpineol
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentXylityl Phosphate
Glycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Citrate, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, 4-Terpineol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Xylityl Phosphate, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Xylitol, Propanediol, Sodium Levulinate, Salicylic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Anisate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Sodium Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBakuchiol
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingGlabridin
BleachingLactobacillus Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPolylysine
Trifolium Pratense Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLecithin
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPiperonyl Glucoside
Skin ProtectingBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Glabridin, Lactobacillus Ferment Filtrate, Polylysine, Trifolium Pratense Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bentonite, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lecithin, Allantoin, Zinc PCA, Glycerin, Piperonyl Glucoside, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Potassium Sorbate, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Pullulan, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sclerotium Gum, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Water
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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePotassium 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 Water