What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Asparagus Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNelumbo Nucifera Callus Culture Extract
Antimicrobial
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Agar
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Bletilla Striata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Glycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlgin
Masking
Pectin
Emulsion StabilisingGellan Gum
Alanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Threonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Polyglutamic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Asparagus Officinalis Extract, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycosyl Trehalose, Parfum, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Nelumbo Nucifera Callus Culture Extract, Beta-Glucan, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Allantoin, Agar, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77491, Mica, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Bletilla Striata Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Algin, Pectin, Gellan Gum, Alanine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Ceramide NP, Citric Acid, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Squalene
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Amylopectin
Lecithin
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract
HumectantAkebia Quinata Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Squalene, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Amylopectin, Lecithin, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Collagen Amino Acids, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oligopeptide-3, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Folic Acid, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactic Acid, Phospholipids, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract, Akebia Quinata Stem Extract, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Tripeptide-1, Ceramide EOP, Polyglutamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Glutamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextran, Phenoxyethanol
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPolyglutamic Acid is made up many glutamic acids chained together. It is created from bacterial fermentation.
This ingredient is an effective skin hydrator and may help speed up wound healing. As a humectant, it draws and holds water to the skin. This ingredient is often compared to hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Similarly to hyaluronic acid, it can vary in molecular weights. This means polyglutamic acid is capable of bringing hydration to lower levels of the skin.
Fun fact: Polyglutamic Acid is found in the Japanese food, natto. It is also being used in cancer treatment studies.
Learn more about Polyglutamic AcidSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
