What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPantolactone
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Panthenol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pantolactone, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPerfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
EmollientIsocetyl Stearate
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXylitylglucoside
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPolyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantPoloxamer 188
EmulsifyingRhizobian Gum
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCarum Carvi Fruit Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingWater, Perfluorodecalin, Coco-Caprylate, Isocetyl Stearate, Maltodextrin, Xylitylglucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anhydroxylitol, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, Xylitol, Poloxamer 188, Rhizobian Gum, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Juglans Regia Shell Extract, Carum Carvi Fruit Oil, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
This ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolCitric 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 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 GumXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside