What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantOligopeptide-32
AntiseborrhoeicOligopeptide-29
AntioxidantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-6
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate, Betaine, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Carbomer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Cyanocobalamin, 2,3-Butanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylpropanediol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Pentylene Glycol, Astaxanthin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, Oligopeptide-32, Oligopeptide-29, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Oligopeptide-6, Ceramide EOP
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantUbiquinone
AntioxidantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSpilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Water, Betaine, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ectoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Ubiquinone, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Sodium 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