What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Heptaoleate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phytate
Parfum
MaskingWater, Polyglyceryl-10 Heptaoleate, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Coco-Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSea Silt Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantManganese PCA
HumectantPolylysine
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water
TonicNymphaea Caerulea Flower Water
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sea Silt Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Sodium PCA, Manganese PCA, Polylysine, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
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 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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