What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingPPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hexanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Saccharide Isomerate, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Trehalose, Panthenol, Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Helichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 GlycerinSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateWater. 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
