What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Vp Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
MaskingDextran
Betaine
HumectantSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Trifolium Pratense Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
PerfumingLecithin
EmollientProline
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/Vp Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine Phosphate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Alcohol Denat., Panthenol, Glycine, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Dextran, Betaine, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Sodium PCA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Zinc Chloride, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Trifolium Pratense Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sorbitol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Serine, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Ascophyllum Nodosum, Glutamic Acid, Alanine, Arginine, Lysine, Threonine, Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lecithin, Proline, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRosa Alba Flower Extract
EmollientUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningSh-Barley Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCarboxymethyl Chitin
Gel FormingParachlorella Kessleri Exopolysaccharides
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine Phosphate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, EDTA, Panthenol, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosa Alba Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Proteoglycan, Sh-Barley Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carboxymethyl Chitin, Parachlorella Kessleri Exopolysaccharides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine Phosphate is an antioxidant and helps soothe skin.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 is a lab-made molecule that combines two parts: biotin (vitamin B7) and Tripeptide-1. Together, they form a peptide that’s often used in hair and eyelash products.
In-vitro studies show this ingredient helps hair bulb cells grow faster and product more structual proteins. This helps keep hair securely anchored in the follicle.
A small human study using a mascara with 2% Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 reported lashes that were about 17% longer and 19% thicker after one month.
One study from 2025 compared topical spray vs. a combined tropical/oral treatment. The combination group saw greater increases in total hair count.
While these early results are encouraging, most of the data comes from in-vitro experiments (in test tubes) or small, short-term trials.
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 looks promising for supporting hair strength and growth but there’s not yet strong clinical evidence to confirm how well it works.
Learn more about Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1Butylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinGinseng root is a well-loved ingredient in Asian skincare for good reason. It hydrates the skin, soothes irritation, and helps even out skin tone.
In traditional East Asian medicine, ginseng has been used for centuries both as food and as a healing remedy, and modern research continues to confirm its skin benefits.
One of the standout features of ginseng is its ability to improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin, bringing a fresh supply of nutrients to support overall skin health. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to protect your skin against damage from UV exposure, pollution, and daily stress.
Additionally, studies suggest that ginseng may help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin production.
There are different types of ginseng used in skincare, and while they all share core benefits, their potency can vary.
Most products use fresh or white ginseng because it’s more affordable. However, red ginseng, produced by steaming the root, contains higher levels of ginsenosides, which are compounds with proven anti-aging effects. These ginsenosides help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.
Note: All forms of ginseng are listed simply as “Panax ginseng” in ingredient lists. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about which type of ginseng is used in their ingredients.
For general antioxidant benefits, any ginseng extract will do, but for wrinkle care or firmer skin, red or fermented ginseng is often more effective.
In short, ginseng is a powerhouse ingredient that supports hydration, radiance, and resilience.
Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root ExtractPanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water