What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Tromethamine
BufferingPEG-8
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Trisiloxane, Trehalose, Sucrose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Caffeine, Sorbitol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleth-10, Sodium Polyaspartate, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tromethamine, PEG-8, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Undecane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Ornithine
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tridecane
Perfuming
Propanediol
Solvent
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycol Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Undecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Nicotinate, Cetyl Alcohol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Beta-Glucan, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Ornithine, Phospholipids, Glycolipids, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose Palmitate, Adenosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Levulinic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Tridecane, Propanediol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Linoleate, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Stearate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitan Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Citric Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Citral
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 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 Water
