What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Glyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Dilaurate
Pantolactone
HumectantMalt Extract
Skin Protecting2,3-Butanediol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, C14-22 Alcohols, Squalane, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Vinyldimethicone, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Magnesium Sulfate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Beta-Glucan, Phytosphingosine, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Arginine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Dilaurate, Pantolactone, Malt Extract, 2,3-Butanediol, Betaine, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSodium Phytate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPullulan
Fructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Pullulan, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Maltodextrin, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanBetaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water