What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Sulfone
SolventInulin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantFructose
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientRosmarinyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTripleurospermum Maritimum Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-28 D-Serine Dipeptide-7 Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Acetyl Norleucyl Dipeptide-54 D-Phenylalanyl Dipeptide-25 Amide
Skin ProtectingSh-Hexapeptide-6 Sp Amide
AntioxidantGlutathione
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Dimethyl Sulfone, Inulin, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sorbitol, Fructose, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sorbic Acid, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-28 D-Serine Dipeptide-7 Palmitamide, Gold, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Acetyl Norleucyl Dipeptide-54 D-Phenylalanyl Dipeptide-25 Amide, Sh-Hexapeptide-6 Sp Amide, Glutathione
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
AntioxidantPhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAlgin
MaskingAlanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
MaskingOligopeptide-177
Phenylalanine
MaskingSisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Papain, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Algin, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride
Alternatives
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
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 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 AcidPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract comes from the root of the peony plant and has a long history of being used in traditional herbal medicine. In cosmetics, it has skin conditioning properties.
This root is rich in paeoniflorin, polyphenols, and flavonoids. These compounds are known to help calm inflammatory signaling, reduce oxidative stress, and regular skin responses to irritation.
In lab and cell studies, this ingredient has been shoown to reduce pro-inflammatory mediators and protect skin cells from stress.
Some research even suggests mild involvement in pigment regulation pathways which is why you might see this ingredient in brightening products.
Learn more about Paeonia Lactiflora Root ExtractSodium 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum