What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantPentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingParfum
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSpilanthes Acmella Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPteris Multifida Extract
AntioxidantFructan
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phenyl Trimethicone, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Trehalose, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Parfum, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Fructooligosaccharides, Disodium EDTA, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Spilanthes Acmella Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Pteris Multifida Extract, Fructan, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingProtease
ExfoliatingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientTropolone
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrideceth-10
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Oil
Skin ConditioningBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningGeranium Maculatum Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Betaine, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Protease, Panthenol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Tropolone, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trideceth-10, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Oil, Bioflavonoids, Geranium Maculatum Oil
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDipropylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydecenePanthenol 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 PropanediolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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