What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glyceryl Caprylate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Beta-Glucan
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Saururus Chinensis Root Extract
BleachingTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Panthenol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Saururus Chinensis Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Fructose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylatePanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
