What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trehalose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Urea
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lauryl PCA
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tromethamine
BufferingTriacetin
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Trisiloxane, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trehalose, Sucrose, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Caffeine, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Artemia Extract, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Ergothioneine, Urea, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glucose, Oleth-10, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Sodium PCA, Lauryl PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Triacetin, Carbomer, Sorbic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Cyclodextrin, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isononyl Isononanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate
EmollientBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLeonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
SoothingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polydecene
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantAgar
MaskingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventBetaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Benzyl Glycol
SolventDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Phytate
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bifida Ferment Lysate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Panthenol, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Tromethamine, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polydecene, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Agar, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine Salicylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Benzyl Glycol, Dextrin, Sodium Phytate, Adenosine, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
