What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Water, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Zinc PCA, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Tripropylene Glycol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aspergillus/Rice Germ Ferment Extract Filtrate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Potentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glutathione
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Tripropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Polyglycerin-3, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Aspergillus/Rice Germ Ferment Extract Filtrate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Ectoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Adenosine, Arginine, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Ceramide NP, Betaine, Allantoin, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glutathione, Madecassoside, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sucrose Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
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 AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 MethylpropanediolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolyquaternium-51 is a polymer salt. It helps hydrate the skin by creating a film on top. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
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 Gum
