What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantPropanediol
Solvent
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Cinnamomum Cassia Extract
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Trehalose
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Escin
TonicRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Serine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingThreonine
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Chondrus Crispus, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Decylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Propanediol, Hydrated Silica, Cinnamomum Cassia Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Trehalose, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Mandelic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Salicylic Acid, Betaine, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Escin, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Serine, Glycine, Sodium Citrate, Threonine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gluconolactone, Proline, Sodium Benzoate, Glutamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Succinic Acid
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, PEG-150 Distearate, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Succinic Acid, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol
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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium 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
