What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Olus Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Olus Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Polysilicone-11, Persea Gratissima Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Propylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Palmitate, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Parfum, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract
EmollientLeptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Piper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Isoamyl Laurate, Propanediol, Octyldodecanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Saccharide Isomerate, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Saccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
