What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethanolamine
BufferingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Dextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitol
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningEperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Boron Nitride, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Palmitic Acid, Caffeine, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Myristic Acid, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Mica, Sodium Polyacrylate, CI 77891, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Carbomer, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maltodextrin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCitric 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 AcidPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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
