What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCI 77891
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentVinyldimethicone
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlycereth-26
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Kernel Extract
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Trideceth-10
CleansingBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Niacinamide, CI 77891, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Vinyldimethicone, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycereth-26, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Trideceth-6, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-10, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRhododendron Ferrugineum Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Dimethiconol
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAlumina
AbrasiveHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTriethoxycaprylylsilane
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyether-1
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Panthenol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Trisiloxane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Alumina, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, T-Butyl Alcohol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Polyether-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77492, CI 77491, Limonene, Citral
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer and used to help stabilize other ingredients.
Emulsion stabilizers hold ingredients together, helping to create an even texture throughout the product.
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate can also be used to thicken the texture.
Learn more about Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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