What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglycerin-3, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Fructooligosaccharides, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Aspergillus Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningUsnea Barbata Extract
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Potassium Cocoate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Aspergillus Ferment Extract Filtrate, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycerinWater. 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
