What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclomethicone
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Stearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Vera Callus Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract
PerfumingChrysanthemum Indicum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantBambusa Vulgaris Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Cyclomethicone, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Disodium EDTA, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Aloe Vera Callus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Callus Culture Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Callus Culture Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArginine
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingSnail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Ethyl Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Arginine, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Palmitic Acid, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Adenosine, Water, Myristic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer 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 CarbomerDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeSnail Secretion Filtrate is the excretion from snails. It is an effective moisturizer and promotes collagen production.
A popular nickname for this ingredient is 'Snail Mucin'.
Snail mucin has numerous skin benefits:
On top of this, Snail Secretion Filtrate contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. These include copper peptides, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. Vitamins A and E are antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals that damage skin cells.
Being cruelty-free means a brand does not experiment on animals.
If you're worried about the well-being of the snails, we recommend looking more into the company of the product. Many brands have developed humane methods to collect snail mucin.
There is much debate on this subject. On one hand, this ingredient comes from an animal. On the other hand, many will argue the ingredient is naturally secreted (like a natural by-product) and therefore vegan. If you have reservations, you can look into Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate or Centella Asiatica Extract as alternatives.
Learn more about Snail Secretion FiltrateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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