What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Tomato Skin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Betaine, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Tomato Skin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Ceramide EOP, Behenic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Levulinate, Cyanocobalamin, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Phytate, Triethyl Citrate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylpropanol
Masking
Pelargonium Capitatum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenylpropanol, Pelargonium Capitatum Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Caramel, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCaprylyl 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenylpropanol is a fragrance.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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
