What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAscorbic Acid 5.5%
Antioxidant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol 2.7%
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 1.8%
Skin ConditioningGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSorbitol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPhloretin
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Serine
MaskingArginine
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid 5.5%, 2,3-Butanediol, Glycerin, Panthenol 2.7%, Alcohol Denat., 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 1.8%, Glycosyl Trehalose, Betaine, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Ferulic Acid, Sorbitol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Allantoin, Phloretin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Serine, Arginine, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingTromethamine
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningAronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantPhoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract
EmollientTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicOpuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCalendula Officinalis Flower
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingThiamine Hcl
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingInositol
HumectantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, Water, Trehalose, C12-14 Pareth-12, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Propolis Extract, Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Maltodextrin, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Phoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Pyridoxine, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Folic Acid, Biotin, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Tocopherol, Cyanocobalamin, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Thiamine Hcl, Linoleic Acid, Inositol, Astaxanthin, Caramel, Linalool, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. It is native to Italy.
This ingredient is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.
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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.
However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.
Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilLimonene 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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 PanthenolPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate is a skin conditioner with emollient and emulsifier properties.
It is an esther of stearic acid and Polyglycerin-10.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 StearateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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 Water