What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Squalane
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXylityl Sesquicaprylate
Antimicrobial
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Ceramide Ng, Sodium Levulinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Anhydroxylitol, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Anisate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, 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.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
