What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Empetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Magnesium Chloride
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Vinegar
Tea-Lactate
HumectantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Myrtus Communis Extract
AstringentSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingHoney Extract
Humectant
Nasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tannic Acid
AstringentHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Urea
Buffering
Carum Carvi Fruit Oil
Masking
Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Rhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingTerminalia Catappa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Farnesol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Lactate, Empetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Magnesium Chloride, Niacinamide, Vinegar, Tea-Lactate, Alcohol, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Sodium Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Myrtus Communis Extract, Sorbitol, Sodium Benzoate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Honey Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Pvp, Pentylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Tannic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Serine, Urea, Carum Carvi Fruit Oil, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Terminalia Catappa Leaf Extract, Pyridoxine Hcl, Thiamine Hcl, Mentha Piperita Oil, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Farnesol, Limonene, Linalool
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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 SorbatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
