What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Phloretin
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Pullulan
Maris Aqua
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Phloretin, Ferulic Acid, Pullulan, Maris Aqua, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Diisooctyl Succinate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Diisooctyl Succinate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Carnosine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide As, Phytosterols, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
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 AcidPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateWater. 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
