What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycerin
Humectant
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dihydroxyisopropyl Capryloylcaprylamide
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Poria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Serine
Masking
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingMyristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Hexapeptide-2 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Dihydroxyisopropyl Capryloylcaprylamide, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Sucrose Cocoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Serine, Phytosterols, Alanine, Glycine, Trideceth-6, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Biotinoyl Hexapeptide-2 Amide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trehalose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Artemia Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PCA
HumectantOleth-10
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trehalose, Sucrose, Algae Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Ergothioneine, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Artemia Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Lauryl PCA, Oleth-10, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Sodium PCA, Urea, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Cyclodextrin, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 42090
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
