What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSambucus Nigra Flower Water
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sambucus Nigra Flower Water, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 184
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprylate/Caprate
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate
SolventPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Poloxamer 184, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer made from ammonium salts. It works as a thickener, emulsifier, and texture enhancer that gives gel-creams a silky, lightweight feel.
This ingredient is versatile and low-maintenance so manufacturers love working with it.
Typical usage levels in cosmetics are usually low and in the range of 0.015 - 2.3%.
Learn more about Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateCitric 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 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.
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