What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
CleansingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Linoleic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Calcium Gluconate, Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlgae Extract
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingTourmaline
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Trehalose
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Algae Extract, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Sucrose, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Plankton Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Tourmaline, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caffeine, Pullulan, Trehalose, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Sodium PCA, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Alcohol Denat., Xanthan Gum, Isododecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 61570, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is calcium salt of gluconic acid. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium 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