What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCollagen
Moisturising
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Succinic Acid
BufferingLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Fructan
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isopentyldiol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycosaminoglycans, Cyanocobalamin, Collagen, Maltodextrin, Betaine Salicylate, Panthenol, Succinic Acid, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Bioflavonoids, Betaine, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Fructan, Inulin, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Malt Extract, Citric Acid, Propanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Artemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Maltodextrin, C12-14 Pareth-12, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, 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.
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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
