What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Glutamate
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Glutamate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Jasminum Sambac Flower Water
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Bellis Perennis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventMethylpropanediol
SolventHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Rosa Gallica Flower Oil
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mannitol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract
Perfuming
EDTA
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Jasminum Sambac Flower Water, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bellis Perennis Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Rosa Gallica Flower Oil, Propylene Glycol, CI 19140, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ergothioneine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Ceramide NP, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract, EDTA, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Reviews
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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium 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
