What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Fructose
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Fructose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bacillus Ferment, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Sterols
EmollientErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysilicone-11
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sucrose
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Tromethamine
BufferingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sulfate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium Distyrylbiphenyl Disulfonate
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-8, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactis Proteinum, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Micrococcus Lysate, Persea Gratissima Sterols, Ergothioneine, Biotin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysilicone-11, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Tromethamine, Phytosphingosine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cholesterol, Zinc PCA, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Disodium Distyrylbiphenyl Disulfonate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
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 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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
