What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventXylitol
HumectantZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingCopper Sulfate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningLaureth-3
EmulsifyingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRhamnose
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Fructooligosaccharides, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Propanediol, Xylitol, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitis Vinifera Vine Extract, Laureth-3, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Mannitol, Potassium Sorbate, Rhamnose
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Pantolactone
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHeptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, C12-16 Alcohols, Panthenol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ceramide NP, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Pantolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Malt Extract, Ceramide Ns, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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