What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Citrate, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCitric 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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
