What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventTrimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingC15-19 Alkane
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingBHT
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Methylpropanediol, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Glycine Soja Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycolipids, Lecithin, Sodium Carrageenan, C15-19 Alkane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Silica, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, BHT, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Bisulfite, Triethanolamine, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, Parfum
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Honey
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Honey, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPotassium 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 PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Water. 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 Water
