What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Bakuchiol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ceramide NP, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Agar
MaskingCalcium Alginate
MaskingGellan Gum
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentDiatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientSucrose Palmitate
EmollientZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Betaine, Methylpropanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzophenone-4, Agar, Calcium Alginate, Gellan Gum, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Acetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Mannitol, Arginine, 4-Butylresorcinol, Dextrin, Diatomaceous Earth, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Glycosphingolipids, Sucrose Palmitate, Zinc Sulfate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium 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
