What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Panax Ginseng Extract
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Caramel, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Colloidal Gold
AntimicrobialCoffea Arabica Husk Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Colloidal Gold, Coffea Arabica Husk Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSpirulina Maxima Extract comes from a type of blue-green cyanobacterium that grows in freshwater. It is packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and a blue pigment called phycocyanin.
Research shows this ingredient has antioxidant properties, supports skin hydration, and may even help with oil control.
In one clinical study, 40 volunteers applied a gel with 0.1% Spirulina twice daily for 28 days say improved hydration in the outermost layer of skin and reduced water loss (with results most noticeable in the mature skin group).
Lab studies have also found Spirulina to support fibroblast and keratinocyte activity, collagen production, and wound healing.
Learn more about Spirulina Maxima ExtractWater. 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
