What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Magnesium Silicate
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Pseudostellaria Heterophylla Extract
Tricaprylin
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSilica Silylate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Retinol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Triolein, Pseudostellaria Heterophylla Extract, Tricaprylin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Stearate, Silica Silylate, Silica, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAmorphophallus Konjac Root Extract
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Chlorella Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantArginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCalcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Chloride
Masking
Potassium Chloride
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Chlorella Ferment, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Magnesium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Citric Acid
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 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 PropanediolWater. 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. 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
