What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract 0.02%
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingBetaine
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
BufferingPantolactone
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Citronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propolis Extract 0.02%, Dimethicone, Sodium Citrate, Betaine, Sorbitol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Gluconolactone, Lactobionic Acid, Pantolactone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventSucrose Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingCholesterol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningLauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
CleansingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Glycerin, Betaine, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Sucrose Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Propolis Extract, Serine, Cholesterol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Polyquaternium-51, Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycine Soja Oil, Linoleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Honey Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.
Fragrant components of Rose Geranium include citronellol and geraniol. These may cause allergies and skin-sensitivity. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
The scent of Rose Geranium closely resembles traditional roses.
Learn more about Pelargonium Graveolens Flower OilPropolis Extract is a natural ingredient derived from propolis (also known as bee glue). Bees make propolis by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds and plants.
This ingredient is packed with bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acids that give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research shows it can help:
It also pairs nicely with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides.
Just so you know, Propolis Extract is recognized as a contact allergen. In patch tests done in the EU, roughly 1-6% of patients react to it. Be sure to steer clear of this ingredient if you have a known allergy to bee products.
Since it is an animal-derived product, this ingredient is not considered vegan. For vegan alternatives, check out Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate or Centella Asiatica Extract.
Learn more about Propolis ExtractWater. 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