What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCellulose Acetate Butyrate
Propanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcetamidoethoxyethanol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialTricaprylin
PerfumingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSilica Silylate
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Niacinamide, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Propanediol, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetamidoethoxyethanol, Phenoxyethanol, Sucrose Cocoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Betaine, Xylitylglucoside, Bakuchiol, Tricaprylin, Anhydroxylitol, Retinol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polysorbate 60, Pentylene Glycol, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Lecithin, Silica Silylate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Silica, Centella Asiatica Extract, Magnesium Stearate, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveTranexamic Acid
AstringentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingKojic Acid
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSqualene
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Bicarbonate, Tranexamic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Kojic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene
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 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.
Water. 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