What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingC12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Mandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Salicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAesculus Hippocastanum Bark Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Niacinamide, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Polyacrylamide, Mandelic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Panthenol, Biotin, Faex Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caffeine, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Trideceth-9, Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethanolamine, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Polyacrylamide
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyacrylamide, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Beeswax, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Laureth-7, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-14 Pareth-12, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as "C13-14 Isoalkane".
C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.
As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.
C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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