What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingTheanine
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Erythritol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingXylitol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzoic Acid
MaskingPrunus Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantIsodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningPEG-30 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG-8, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Gluceth-10, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Theanine, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Erythritol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyquaternium-51, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Citric Acid, Xylitol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Parfum, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Serine, Glycine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Hydrolyzed Silk, CI 15985, Tocopherol, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, CI 19140, Benzoic Acid, Prunus Speciosa Leaf Extract, Fructose, Isodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, PEG-30 Phytosterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Trisodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSucrose
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningTourmaline
Urea
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Sulfate
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Nitrate
SoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTriacetin
AntimicrobialLecithin
EmollientPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSorbic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Algae Extract, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sucrose, Yeast Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Plankton Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycereth-26, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Trehalose, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maris Sal, Tourmaline, Urea, Sodium PCA, Glycine Soja Protein, Glycosaminoglycans, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Nitrate, Pentylene Glycol, Triacetin, Lecithin, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-51, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Alternatives
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 GlycolDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPEG-8 is a synthetic polymer used as a humectant and solvent.
This ingredient is able to help dissolve active ingredients, including water. This gives it humectant properties.
It is soluble in water. The number '8' stands for the molecular weight of the ingredient.
Learn more about PEG-8Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polyquaternium-51 is a polymer salt. It helps hydrate the skin by creating a film on top. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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