What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventIsocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantJojoba Esters
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Palmitate/Succinate
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthyl Lactyl Retinoate
AbrasiveAcetyl Hexapeptide-37
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPolyurethane-10
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Palmitate/Succinate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triheptanoin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Astaxanthin, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sucrose Stearate, C9-12 Alkane, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Polyurethane-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBellis Perennis Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant3-O-Cetyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
AntioxidantHieracium Pilosella Extract
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveLinolenic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingMethyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantIsododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPolysilicone-11
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Glycerin, Bellis Perennis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Chloride, Triethylhexanoin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Cetyl Ascorbic Acid, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Hieracium Pilosella Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Methyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate, Tocopherol, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polysilicone-11, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, Mica
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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 BenzoateTocopherol 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 Water