Water. 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

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol

Tocopherol

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

Betaine

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Betaine 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.

Learn more about Betaine

Citric Acid

Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

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 Glycol

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Panthecell Repair Cica Cream Mist

White Truffle Vital Spray Serum

When to use

BOH Bio Heal Panthecell Repair Cica Cream Mist 41 ingredients

D'Alba White Truffle Vital Spray Serum 74 ingredients

22 Routines

59% use in am

41% use in pm

91% use every day

31 Routines

55% use in am

45% use in pm

94% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

BOH Bio Heal Panthecell Repair Cica Cream Mist 41 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 1 rating

Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1)

K

6 months ago

Review

I don't find it extremely hydrating or calming but I still enjoy using it almost every day to refresh/rehydrate my skin during the day. It sprays gently and the mist is very fine. And the ingredient list is really good especially for the price.

#great value

#hydrating

#light

BOH Bio Heal

Panthecell Repair Cica Cream Mist

D'Alba White Truffle Vital Spray Serum 74 ingredients

4.5 /5

from 2 ratings

Absorbs Well (2) Light (2) Light Scent (1)

ludesu

1 year ago

Review

This facial spray is great for treating yourself! It has a fancy scent (not too overwhelming), the bottle and mister are good quality, and it feels nice on the skin. It does not cause irritation or feel at all oily on the face, so I think it's suitable for those who are worried about oiliness and sensitivity. It claims to help with redness which I haven't noticed, and it needs multiple sprays to Show more

#light

#absorbs well

#strong scent

D'Alba

White Truffle Vital Spray Serum

Yoshima Putri

10 months ago

Review

I like the scent of this product. I first saw it at a beauty event in South Korea. It is light and gives a refreshing feeling to my face.
Don’t forget to shake it before use to mix the oil inside. I have used it as part of my morning routine until now, but recently, I have become concerned about the effect of the fragrance on my skin. Therefore, it might be better if you use another moisturizer Show more

#light

#absorbs well

#light scent

D'Alba

White Truffle Vital Spray Serum