What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Estradiolpropanoate
EmollientSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprate
EmollientFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glutathione
Pentapeptide-28
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-26
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycereth-26, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Methyl Estradiolpropanoate, Superoxide Dismutase, Glyceryl Caprate, Ferulic Acid, Glutathione, Pentapeptide-28, Tetrapeptide-26, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipeptide-4, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Gigartina Stellata/Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Jasminum Sambac Flower
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Lauryl Lactate
EmollientIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Tricaprylin, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Resveratrol, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Jojoba Esters, Gigartina Stellata/Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Squalane, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Jasminum Sambac Flower, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Lauryl Lactate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Bacillus Ferment, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isohexadecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Phosphate
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.聽
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聽
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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
