What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycolic Acid
BufferingCaprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDextran
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialFoeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantBHA
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCoumarin
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingIsoeugenol
PerfumingWater, Isohexadecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Saccharide Isomerate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium PCA, Urea, Mandelic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycolic Acid, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Retinol, Sodium Lactate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Allantoin, Lecithin, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Dextran, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Cholate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Oleate, BHT, BHA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Potassium Sorbate, Propylparaben, Parfum, Coumarin, Citral, Eugenol, Limonene, Isoeugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Zinc PCA
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantUrea
BufferingLecithin
EmollientSphingolipids
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningPCA
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Squalane, Glycerin, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Zinc PCA, Madecassoside, Urea, Lecithin, Sphingolipids, Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Diglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sorbitol, Lysine, PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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 SorbatePropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 HydroxideSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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 Water