What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone/Phenylsilsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Propanediol
SolventDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingDiamond Powder
AbrasiveZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEuphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone/Phenylsilsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Tapioca Starch, Propanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Diamond Powder, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Copper Gluconate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingMethyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Biotin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Magnesium Aspartate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Zinc Gluconate, Chrysin, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Copper Gluconate, Steareth-20, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a copper salt known for its wound healing properties.
Our bodies use copper to help stabilize our skin's collagen and elastin. Its also an essential for superoxide dismutase, an enzyme with strong antioxidant properties.
Copper has wound healing properties due to its role in creating new blood vessels and tissue repair.
Learn more about Copper GluconateDimethicone 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Magnesium Aspartate yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 WaterZinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.
This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.