What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Taraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dimethyl Sulfone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Carrageenan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Carrageenan, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, CI 77492, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carrageenan comes from red seaweed or algae. It is made up of polysaccharides and a highly flexible compound. Red algae cell walls are rich in carrageenan.
In cosmetics, it helps to thicken the texture. Studies show carrageenan extracted from red algae possess antioxidant properties. Components found in carrageenan include: lipids, fatty acids, Vitamin E, proteins, and several amino acids.
Learn more about different types of algae.
Carrageenan is also commonly used in medicine and food. It is a vegan alternative to animal-based gelatin.
Learn more about CarrageenanEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPotassium 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 Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable.
Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefits. One study found 5% of SAP lotion to be an effective ingredient for treating acne vulgaris. This is because research shows that SAP may help control acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and slowing the oxidation of skin oils caused by UV exposure.
In addition to acne, vitamin C is important for skin structure. Lab studies suggest SAP may support collagen production in skin cells, making it a great ingredient in anti-aging routines.
Vitamin C has many benefits: it helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, fade the appearance of dark spots, and brighten the skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium 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
