What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentCassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingDimethyl Sulfone
SolventArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPimpinella Anisum Extract
Cochlearia Armoracia Root Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSchisandra Chinensis Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentFoeniculum Vulgare Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Quinquefolius Root Extract
AstringentMelissa Officinalis Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Dimethyl Sulfone, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Glycolic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Extract, Cochlearia Armoracia Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Callus Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Callus Culture Extract, Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract, Melissa Officinalis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentPropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingKojic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantIsododecane
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Isopentyldiol, Tranexamic Acid, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isododecane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPotassium 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 SorbateWater. 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