What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Polyglutamate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantC12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, C12-13 Alketh-9, Betaine, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Glyceryl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carbomer, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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