What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glycerin
Humectant
Human Bone Marrow Stem Cell Conditioned Media
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSyzygium Luehmannii Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Kunzea Pomifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dotap
Distearoyl Phosphatidylcholine
Dspe
Dspe-PEG(2000)
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPhosphatidylserine
Emulsion StabilisingSphingomyelin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Sh-Oligopeptide-33
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-58
Emollient
Sh-Polypeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-67
Antioxidant
Sh-Polypeptide-66
Antioxidant
Sh-Polypeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-62
Antioxidant
Sh-Polypeptide-14
Skin Protecting
Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glycerin, Human Bone Marrow Stem Cell Conditioned Media, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bakuchiol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethyl Linoleate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Betaine, Potassium Sorbate, Glycosphingolipids, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract, Syzygium Luehmannii Fruit Extract, Kunzea Pomifera Fruit Extract, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Thioctic Acid, Ubiquinone, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Dotap, Distearoyl Phosphatidylcholine, Dspe, Dspe-PEG(2000), Sodium Chloride, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylserine, Sphingomyelin, Cholesterol, Mannitol, Trehalose, Sh-Oligopeptide-33, Sh-Polypeptide-58, Sh-Polypeptide-5, Sh-Polypeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-67, Sh-Polypeptide-66, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-62, Sh-Polypeptide-14
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Raphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Magnesium Sulfate
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glutamine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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
