What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Malus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Pentapeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Glucose, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Papain, Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Pentapeptide-3, Tripeptide-1
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract 42.6%
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlucose
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnolia Kobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract 42.6%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Glycerin, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Citrate, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract
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
Butylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 HydroxyacetophenonePhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract comes from the Mung Bean. Phaseolus Radiatus is an older scientific name for this ingredient. It is now usually referred to as Vigna Radiata.
Mung beans contain carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. They also contain flavonoids and polyphenols (such as caffeic acid) that give them antioxidant properties.
Mung beans are an edible legume from Asia. It is commonly used in Asian desserts.
Learn more about Phaseolus Radiatus Seed ExtractSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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
