What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Tapioca Starch
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Algin
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Octocrylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Niacinamide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diglycerin, Tapioca Starch, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Isopropyl Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Polyglycerin-3, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Algin, Citric Acid, Ubiquinone, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trehalose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylcellulose
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium PCA, Squalane, Isostearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylcellulose, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CopolymerGlycerin (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.Â
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 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
