What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingRhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract
MaskingSea Water
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantGlycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Histidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract, Rhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract, Sea Water, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Saccharide Isomerate, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
2,3-Butanediol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium EDTA
Malachite Extract
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArtemisia Annua Extract
Masking
Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Anthriscus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Vine Sap
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Arundinacea Juice
Abrasive
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Soluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Betaine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Trehalose, Tromethamine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Trisodium EDTA, Malachite Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Artemisia Annua Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Anthriscus Sylvestris Extract, Vitis Vinifera Vine Sap, Beta-Glucan, Bambusa Arundinacea Juice, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Thiamine Hcl, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Quercetin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Soluble Proteoglycan
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed 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 AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 HyaluronateTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
