What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Arginine
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Squalane
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Harungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingSodium PCA
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Glucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Sodium Phytate
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Squalane, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Gluconolactone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Citrate, Silica, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Saccharomyces Ferment, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Oryza Sativa Starch, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Sodium PCA, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Glyceryl Caprylate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Glucose, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lauroyl Lysine, Stearic Acid, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Sodium Phytate, Triheptanoin, Caprylyl Glycol, 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.
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
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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 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
