What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingMaris Aqua
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingParfum
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePhormidium Persicinum Extract
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Alcohol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cellulose, Lauroyl Lysine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Maris Aqua, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Phormidium Persicinum Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Silica
AbrasiveDimethicone Silylate
Sucrose
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingMorus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAmorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
AbrasivePEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyethylene
AbrasiveIsododecane
EmollientAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Laureth-21
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMagnesium Myristate
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Silica, Dimethicone Silylate, Sucrose, Isopentyldiol, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Saccharide Isomerate, Laureth-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polyethylene, Isododecane, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Laureth-21, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Myristate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Mica, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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