What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Bisabolol
MaskingLaureth-12
EmulsifyingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantDisodium Succinate
MaskingThreonine
Glycine
BufferingValine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Acetate
EmollientWater, Polysilicone-11, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Steareth-21, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Laureth-12, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Saccharomyces Lysate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Disodium Succinate, Threonine, Glycine, Valine, Glutamic Acid, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPolyglycerin-6
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantErgothioneine
AntioxidantXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polyglycerin-6, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ergothioneine, Xanthophylls, Allantoin, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Mannitol, Pentylene Glycol, Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Phytate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecanePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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