What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicSarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Spinacia Oleracea
Skin ConditioningCopper PCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Sarcosine, Spinacia Oleracea, Copper PCA, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthoxypropanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Limonene, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Maris Aqua
HumectantCollagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentPterocarpus Marsupium Bark/Wood Extract
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Maris Aqua, Collagen Amino Acids, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Niacinamide, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus Ferment, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Inulin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark/Wood Extract, Sodium PCA, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Urea, Lysolecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 42090
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 GlycerinThis ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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
