What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningIsomalt
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Cleansing7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingPollen Extract
EmollientLecithin
EmollientLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentCalcium Chloride
AstringentPhytol
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Betaine, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-13 Pareth-9, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Isomalt, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables, Cholesterol, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Pollen Extract, Lecithin, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Calcium Chloride, Phytol
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Pantolactone, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, 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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itās 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 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 ingredientās 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 GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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