What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSciadopitys Verticillata Root Extract
AntimicrobialCanavalia Gladiata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sciadopitys Verticillata Root Extract, Canavalia Gladiata Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Niacinamide
SmoothingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyacrylamide
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Panthenol, Ceramide EOP, Squalane, Cholesterol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyacrylamide, Laureth-7, Ceteareth-12, Sorbitan Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Myristyl Myristate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract
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.
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
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerChlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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