What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Betaine, Silica, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sodium Citrate, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lactic Acid, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Chrysin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-12 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Tridecyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-12 Diisostearate, Polyethylene, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Water, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 17200, CI 42090
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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium 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 a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateThis extract comes from the blueberry native to North America. It has great antioxidant and skin soothing properties.
The antioxidant properties from blueberries come from its polyphenolic and vitamin C content. Polyphenols are a compound famous for their antioxidant properties and are commonly found in fruits.
A 2023 study found blueberries to protect skin from UV-B related inflammation. However, this ingredient should not replace your sunscreen.
Learn more about Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit ExtractWater. 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
