What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Onsen-Sui
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract
AntimicrobialMagnolia Kobus Flower Extract
AntioxidantChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingOnsen-Sui, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methylpropanediol, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Chrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract, Magnolia Kobus Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMalachite Extract
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitol
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Calcium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Sulfated Hyaluronate
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Oleoyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sea Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Malachite Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Glucose, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Calcium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Sulfated Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Hyaluronate, Sodium Oleoyl Hyaluronate
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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