What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingSqualane
EmollientChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Squalane, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Polyquaternium-51, Ceramide NP, Gluconolactone, Madecassoside
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSwiftlet Nest Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactobionic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructan, Allantoin, Adenosine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Xylitol, Salicylic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Mentha Piperita Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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