What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8
HumectantAframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol, Propanediol, Betaine, Diglycerin, Lauroyl Lysine, PEG-8, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Adenosine, Xylitol, Trehalose, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, CI 14700, CI 60730, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Mel
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingSecale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Agar
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Mel, Pentylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Tapioca Starch, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Carbomer, Polyglycerin-3, Agar, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol
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 called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCaprylyl 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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDiglycerin is a humectant. It is derived from glycerin, which is naturally found in your skin.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture to the skin from the air.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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
