What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-15
UV FilterPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHectorite
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentAdenosine
Skin ConditioningVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSodium DNA 0.012%
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGardenia Florida Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
SurfactantTocopherol
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Polysilicone-15, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hectorite, Panthenol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dextrin, Adenosine, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Beta-Sitosterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium DNA 0.012%, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Cellulose, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Tocopherol, Madecassoside, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingPropylene Carbonate
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isododecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, 2,3-Butanediol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Alumina, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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