What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Buteth-3
SolventDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glucoside
CleansingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningTributyl Citrate
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Hizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gracilaria Verrucosa Extract
HumectantAsiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Glycerin, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Buteth-3, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Caprylyl Glucoside, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Madecassoside, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Pearl Extract, Dextrin, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Tributyl Citrate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Bisabolol, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Propolis Extract, Gracilaria Verrucosa Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Artemisia Dracunculus Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Artemisia Dracunculus Leaf/Stem Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Arginine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, CI 77220, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract
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 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 AcidThis form of hyaluronic acid is produced through fermentation.
According to a manufacturer, it has a positive charge by ionic binding to help moisturize and give hair a smooth feel. This is why you'll find this ingredient in shampoos and body washes.
Potassium hyaluronate (PH) is a salt form of hyaluronic acid and has similar skin hydrating benefits.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, PH is able to draw and hold moisture to your skin. This helps keep skin soft and hydrated.
Fun fact: PH is used in eye drops and injectable treatments for joint disorders. It has lubricating and tissue-repair properties.
Learn more about Potassium HyaluronateSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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
