What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Glycerin
Humectant
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingNylon-6/12
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Triethanolamine
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Adipate, Mica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Methicone, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceteareth-20, Nylon-6/12, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Polysorbate 60, Saccharide Isomerate, Squalane, Carnosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Silica, PEG-40 Stearate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Triethanolamine, Lactic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Citrate, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract
Perfuming
Solidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Ectoin, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
