What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Ascorbic Acid 10%
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 3%
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate 2%
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentTocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Ascorbic Acid 10%, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Alcohol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 3%, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate 2%, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Allantoin, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Squalane, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Tocotrienols, Gluconolactone, Fructooligosaccharides, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Alcohol Denat., Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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. 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
