This hydrating essence is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Squalane to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin Protecting
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin Protecting
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Urea
Buffering
Sucrose
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Triacetin
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-6
HumectantPEG-32
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlucosamine Hcl
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Pisum Sativum Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Lactobacillus Ferment, Jojoba Esters, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, Caprylyl Glycol, Urea, Sucrose, Polyquaternium-51, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Triacetin, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-6, PEG-32, Sodium Hydroxide, Glucosamine Hcl, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Stearic Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
