What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyisobutene
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningDimer Dilinoleyl Diisostearate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Calcium Titanium Borosilicate
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Hesperidin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Diisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid, CI 45380, CI 42090, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Retinyl Palmitate, Bioflavonoids, Ascorbic Acid, Hesperidin
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientTrioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Coconut Flower Sugar
Antioxidant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sucrose
Humectant
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Synthetic Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Coconut Flower Sugar, Isostearic Acid, Sucrose, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Water, Malic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Viola Tricolor Extract, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 19140, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic 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 AcidCitric 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 AcidDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is an exfoliant.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, Octyldodecanol helps prevent the oils and waters from separating. It also prevents ingredients from creating foam when shaken.
Octyldodecanol is created by reducing fatty acid to an alcohol.
Due to its high molecular weight, it does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about OctyldodecanolWe don't have a description for Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate yet.
This ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateThis silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
