What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C9-12 Alkane
SolventPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Acetyl Zingerone
Antioxidant
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyisobutene
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C9-12 Alkane, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Acetyl Zingerone, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyisobutene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Squalane, C15-19 Alkane, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ectoin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Sodium Citrate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium 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 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 HydroxideTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 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
