What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyisobutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Water, Synthetic Wax, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Sodium Dna, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Stearate
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Caprylic Acid
CleansingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betulin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Sodium Chloride, Octyldodeceth-16, Artemisia Annua Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Sodium Citrate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Arginine, Caprylic Acid, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Tocopherol, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betulin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Limonene
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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPentylene 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 GlycolWater. 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
