What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tapioca Starch
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Citronellol
Perfuming
Leptospermum Petersonii Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tapioca Starch, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Limonene, Citral, Zinc Sulfate, Linalool, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Citronellol, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Tocopherol, Caramel, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 60730, CI 60725
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Rubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Salicylic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Benzyl Benzoate, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Potassium Sorbate, CI 14700
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
