What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Euglena Gracilis Polysaccharide
Gel FormingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Carrageenan
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Euglena Gracilis Polysaccharide, Niacinamide, Carrageenan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Agar
MaskingBetaine
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carrageenan
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Chloride
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Glycereth-26, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Centella Asiatica Extract, Adenosine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Agar, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Carrageenan, Cellulose Gum, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Citric Acid, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Cyclodextrin, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol
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
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 GlycolCarrageenan comes from red seaweed or algae. It is made up of polysaccharides and a highly flexible compound. Red algae cell walls are rich in carrageenan.
In cosmetics, it helps to thicken the texture. Studies show carrageenan extracted from red algae possess antioxidant properties. Components found in carrageenan include: lipids, fatty acids, Vitamin E, proteins, and several amino acids.
Learn more about different types of algae.
Carrageenan is also commonly used in medicine and food. It is a vegan alternative to animal-based gelatin.
Learn more about CarrageenanEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneSodium 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 Gum
