What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Sorbitan Oleate, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Citric Acid, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingEugenol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitral
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Disodium EDTA, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Adenosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Citric Acid, Eugenol, Sodium Benzoate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citral, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum