What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Calendula Officinalis Flower
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Bee Venom
Astringent
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Polysorbate 80, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Propanediol, Glycerin, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rose Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Physalis Angulata Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Lecithin, Bee Venom, Acetyl Glutamine, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Trehalose, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Ethoxydiglycol, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientOlus Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Succinic Acid
BufferingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pantolactone
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Olus Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cocoglycerides, Silica, Succinic Acid, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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
