What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingC15-23 Alkane
SolventC13-14 Alkane
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Acrylates Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, C15-23 Alkane, C13-14 Alkane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pantolactone, Oryza Sativa Extract, Tocopherol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Diglycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAgar
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Collagen
Moisturising
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Glycereth-26, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Diglycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octyldodeceth-16, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fructooligosaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Agar, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Resveratrol, Collagen, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Squalane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
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 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
