What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hectorite
AbsorbentCetearyl Olivate
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Tapioca Starch
Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Lepidium Meyenii Root
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Ant Egg Oil Extract
Water, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol, Hectorite, Cetearyl Olivate, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tapioca Starch, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Lepidium Meyenii Root, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Cocoate, Maltodextrin, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Citral, Coumarin, Ant Egg Oil Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract
Skin ConditioningRhododendron Ferrugineum Extract
MaskingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Rose Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77491, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Eugenol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about CitralCitric 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 AcidGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
