What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trisodium EDTA
Artemisia Annua Extract
MaskingAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Anthriscus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Vitis Vinifera Vine Sap
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Bambusa Arundinacea Juice
Abrasive
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Soluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Trisodium EDTA, Artemisia Annua Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Anthriscus Sylvestris Extract, Madecassoside, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Vine Sap, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Bambusa Arundinacea Juice, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soluble Proteoglycan
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
4-Terpineol
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethyl Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, 4-Terpineol, Water
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Betaine 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 BetaineBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice is the sap of the Asian White Birch tree. Birch juice has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
The high content of amino acids, sugars, and minerals provide the skin with moisture. On top of that, it contains Vitamins C and B (niacinamide). These two superstar ingredients protect your skin while reducing dark spots.
This white birch is currently being studied for potential anti-cancer properties. It has been used in traditional Asian medicine to help treat infections.
Learn more about Betula Platyphylla Japonica JuiceButylene 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 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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
