What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Escin
TonicSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingRhododendron Ferrugineum Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Betaine, Boron Nitride, Glycerin, Cellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, CI 77891, Caffeine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Disodium EDTA, Escin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, T-Butyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantXylitol
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Borago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventAsiaticoside
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Xylitol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, C12-14 Pareth-12, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Tromethamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Disodium EDTA, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Propanediol, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Madecassoside, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Tocopherol, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Benzyl Glycol, Asiaticoside, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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