What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesteryl Macadamiate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Glycine
Buffering
Glucosamine Hcl
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Methionine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
Abrasive
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Calcium Chloride
AstringentTaurine
BufferingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Formic Acid
Preservative
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Histidine
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methylpropanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-51, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Fructooligosaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Saccharide Isomerate, Octyldodecanol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Raffinose, Anhydroxylitol, Folic Acid, Ceramide NP, Xylitol, Cholesterol, Glucose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Sucrose Stearate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Cholesteryl Macadamiate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Magnesium PCA, Copper Tripeptide-1, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Guaiazulene, Glycine, Glucosamine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Magnesium Citrate, Magnesium Chloride, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Cysteine, Citrulline, Sea Salt, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine, Calcium Chloride, Taurine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Formic Acid, Proline, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Histidine, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Isododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rosmarinic Acid
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Water, Propanediol, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Methyl Trimethicone, Glyceryl Glucoside, Trehalose, Betaine, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Ectoin, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosmarinic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Myristyl Alcohol, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauryl Alcohol
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.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
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 GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.
It is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture to it from the air.
Some foods that contain glyceryl glucoside include sake, miso, and wines.
Learn more about Glyceryl GlucosideHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerWater. 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
