What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCamellia Kissi Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydrochloric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Camellia Kissi Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Boron Nitride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Phytic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Hydrochloric Acid, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, CI 14700, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Mel
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingSecale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Agar
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Mel, Pentylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Tapioca Starch, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Carbomer, Polyglycerin-3, Agar, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 GlycerinSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
