What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethyl Sulfone
SolventAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellal
Masking
Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ferulic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethyl Sulfone, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellal
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-67
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
