What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDiglycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantPhyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Diglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Collagen, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Betaine, Propanediol, Sodium Dna, Pantolactone, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tripeptide-1, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Hexapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide NP, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMel Extract
MoisturisingSorbitol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Mel Extract, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans yet.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerWater. 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