What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Water
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Ethyl Ester
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Glycerin
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Cetearyl Olivate
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Butter Glycerides
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Shea Butterate
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Arnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAroma
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Water, Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester, Galactoarabinan, Glycerin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Butter Glycerides, Isopropyl Shea Butterate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citric Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Extract, Borago Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sclerotium Gum, Aroma, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Alcohol, CI 77891, CI 77491, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningEryngium Maritimum Extract
TonicBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Adenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningTourmaline
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glutathione
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
CI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Algae Extract, Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Adenosine Phosphate, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Creatine, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Whey Protein, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Linolenic Acid, Caffeine, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Gold, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Acetyl Glucosamine, Linoleic Acid, Micrococcus Lysate, Tourmaline, Glycosaminoglycans, Soy Amino Acids, Butylene Glycol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Faex Extract, Trisiloxane, Tartaric Acid, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Dextrin, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Laureth-12, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Cyclodextrin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Citric Acid, Glutathione, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, CI 61570
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
