What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientSodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Wheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Ferulic Acid, Wheat Amino Acids, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydroxyproline, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Tamarindus Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Glucan, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Tamarindus Indica Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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
