What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
PPG-5 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Black Sea Rod Oil
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Flower Extract
Perfuming
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Canola Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol Denat., Squalane, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sucrose Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, PPG-5 Phytosterol, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Phytosphingosine, Black Sea Rod Oil, Camellia Sinensis Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Canola Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf 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
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerWater. 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
