What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCarrageenan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Carrageenan, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, CI 77492, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantKojic Acid
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCurcuma Longa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTropolone
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Kojic Acid, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Glutathione, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Sclerotium Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tropolone, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water