What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Extract
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSqualane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Triticum Vulgare/Aestivum Grain Extract
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Poeticus Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Wood Oil
Perfuming
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Michelia Champaca Flower Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Michelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
Emollient
Santalum Spicatum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCalcium Gluconate
HumectantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Propanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare/Aestivum Grain Extract, Arachidyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Narcissus Poeticus Callus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Bakuchiol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract, Ceramide NP, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract, Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Wood Oil, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Michelia Champaca Flower Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Santalum Spicatum Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Dunaliella Salina Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Glucoside
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Spiraea Ulmaria Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Fruit Oil
Astringent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Heptyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acer Saccharum Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Limonene
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
