What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Magnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Heptapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin Conditioning
Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract
EmollientAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
C9-12 Alkane
SolventPullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPolyurethane-10
Lecithin
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phytic Acid
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitan Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglycerin-6, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Gluconate, Arginine, Heptapeptide-7, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract, Adenosine, Carnosine, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linolenic Acid, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tocopherol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propanediol, Silica, C9-12 Alkane, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Triheptanoin, Sclerotium Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Polyurethane-10, Lecithin, Gluconolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Phytic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Juice
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Juice
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCoconut Milk
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingZea Mays Silk Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlgin
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Calcium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Tapioca Starch
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Juice, Citrus Limon Juice, Pyrus Malus Juice, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Coconut Milk, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Zea Mays Silk Extract, Glycine Soja Extract, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Cichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides, Glycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Xanthan Gum, Algin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Tapioca Starch, Thioctic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 TocopherolXanthan 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
