What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Heterotheca Inuloides Flower Extract
MaskingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract
Skin ConditioningSr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1
Humectant
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Pullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Formate
Buffering
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Heterotheca Inuloides Flower Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract, Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Phenoxyethanol, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Jojoba Esters, Silica, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Formate, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium PCA, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Squalane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Officinalis Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Leaf Extract
MaskingMalva Sylvestris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNigella Sativa Seed Extract
Perfuming
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentLamium Album Extract
AstringentCichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Alkanna Tinctoria Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Caprylate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Olea Europaea Leaf Water, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Zea Mays Starch, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Asparagus Officinalis Stem Extract, Beta Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Cichorium Intybus Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Nigella Sativa Seed Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Prunus Spinosa Fruit Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Lamium Album Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Xanthan Gum, Hyaluronic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Alkanna Tinctoria Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate
Reviews
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 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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 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
