What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Polyquaternium-28
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningChitosan
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sorbitol
Humectant
Water, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-28, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Chitosan, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactic Acid, Sorbitol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Raspberry Seed Oil
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Hydroxypropyl C12-15 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide
CleansingSteartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Camellia Seed Oil
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Glutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ammonium Lactate
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
PPG-2-Deceth-12
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isopentyldiol, Hydrogenated Raspberry Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyethyl Hydroxypropyl C12-15 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Steartrimonium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Camellia Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Dimethyl Glutamic Acid, Royal Jelly Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Isopropyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Alcohol Denat., Citric Acid, Ammonium Lactate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Adenosine Phosphate, Amodimethicone, PPG-2-Deceth-12, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Benzoate, Parfum, CI 17200, CI 15985
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolWater. 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
