What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Polyquaternium-10
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Flower
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingPg-Hydroxyethylcellulose Cocodimonium Chloride
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Cinnamate
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polyquaternium-10, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Flower, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Pg-Hydroxyethylcellulose Cocodimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Carnosine, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Cinnamate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Galactoarabinan
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Macelignan
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Pullulan, Galactoarabinan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Sorbitol, Potassium Sorbate, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Vanillin, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Macelignan, Tocopherol, Linalool, Limonene
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 AcidLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol (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
