What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Corylus Avellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentSalix Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningKrameria Triandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Thymus Mastichina Flower Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isostearyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Adenosine, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Salix Alba Leaf Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Pyrus Malus Seed Extract, Krameria Triandra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Hexyldecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Thymus Mastichina Flower Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
Humectant
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Ethylhexanoate/Stearate/Adipate
EmollientPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientPhytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
PEG-32
HumectantPEG-6
HumectantPEG-150 Stearate
Surfactant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
C16-18 Hydroxyalkyl Hydroxydimerdilinoleyl Ether
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydroxylated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientPropylparaben
Preservative
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientGlycogen
HumectantSilica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentArginine
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingLuffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Sinicus Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicRosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicCitric Acid
Buffering
Akebia Trifoliata Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Zein
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Diglycerin, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Stearic Acid, Batyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Ethylhexanoate/Stearate/Adipate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, PEG-32, PEG-6, PEG-150 Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, C16-18 Hydroxyalkyl Hydroxydimerdilinoleyl Ether, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Alcohol, Parfum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-400, Lecithin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxylated Lecithin, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sucrose Stearate, Propylparaben, Sucrose Palmitate, Glycogen, Silica, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Arginine, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Astragalus Sinicus Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Akebia Trifoliata Stem Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, BHT, Glycolic Acid, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sorbitan Isostearate, Zein, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Oil is a plant-derived oil from soybean seeds. Like other oils, it is rich in essential fatty acids (mostly linoleic and oleic) that support skin hydration and barrier function.
The fatty acids are able to integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to help soften skin and reduce water loss.
On top of that, soybean oil is rich in vitamins like vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
Research on soybean's active components also point to anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, antioxidant activity, and protection against UV-induced oxidative damage.
Most of this research applies to the broader soybean plant and not just the oil fraction alone.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic acid content.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
