What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV AbsorberBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Parfum, Silica, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingPolysilicone-11
Parfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Benzyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, CI 16035, CI 42090, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Polysilicone-11, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
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 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium 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