What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCI 52015
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate
CleansingCoconut Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialTrehalose
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, CI 52015, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Triacontanyl Pvp, Glycerin, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Decylene Glycol, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate, Coconut Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Tocopheryl Acetate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Trehalose, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Polyquaternium-51
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Magnesium Sulfate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventEctoin
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantRhamnose
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide, Water, Isododecane, CI 77891, Corn Starch Modified, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, CI 77492, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Magnesium Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 77491, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone, Sodium Citrate, CI 77499, Propylene Carbonate, Ectoin, Mannitol, Propyl Gallate, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Citric Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Tocopherol, Fructooligosaccharides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
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 AcidDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopherol (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