What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Onsen-Sui
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPrunus Yedoensis Flower Extract
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Phospholipids, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Onsen-Sui, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Maltodextrin, Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Glycerin, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Xanthan Gum, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Propanediol, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Prunus Yedoensis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethyl Methacrylate
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Armillaria Matsutake Extract
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentLimonia Acidissima Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterPhenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Propanediol, Ectoin, Armillaria Matsutake Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrated Silica, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ergothioneine, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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
