What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Gellan Gum
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrifolium Pratense Extract
Skin ConditioningSprout Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Dextran
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Swertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
Antioxidant
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Glycine
Buffering
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPolydextrose
HumectantThreonine
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
PCA
Humectant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Isochrysis Galbana Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Apigenin
Antioxidant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Urea
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantHistidine
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16
Skin Conditioning
Phenylalanine
Masking
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silk Amino Acids
HumectantAspartic Acid
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Swertia Japonica Extract, Arginine, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Oligopeptide-10, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-8, Biotin, Tocopherol, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Lecithin, Glycine, Zinc Chloride, Polydextrose, Threonine, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Laminaria Digitata Extract, PCA, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Valine, Xanthan Gum, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Phytic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Apigenin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Isoleucine, Disodium EDTA, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Yeast Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Panthenol, Serine, Propylene Glycol, Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86, Phenylpropanol, Proline, Glyceryl Caprylate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Gluconolactone, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-12, Polysorbate 20, Urea, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Histidine, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Aminomethyl Propanol, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Alanine, Oleanolic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium PCA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16, Phenylalanine, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Aspartic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Citric Acid, Propanediol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
