What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Oenanthe Javanica Extract
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingXylitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Trehalose, Betaine, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Panthenol, Pullulan, Ectoin, Oenanthe Javanica Extract, Allantoin, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Adenosine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingParfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Natto Gum
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Phytate, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Natto Gum, Tocopherol, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer is made up of glycerin and polyacrylic acid. It helps hydrate your skin as a humectant.
This ingredient forms a hydrogel that delivers moisturizing, water-based ingredients to the skin. It is also used to thicken a product and to give it a smooth texture.
Acrylic acid itself is toxic, but the polymer form (this ingredient) is too large to penetrate skin, making it non-toxic.
Learn more about Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid CopolymerPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 HyaluronateTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
