What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
HumectantPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Agar
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Magnesium Silicate
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSqualane
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlutathione
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zea Mays Starch, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Mannitol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Propanediol, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sodium Metaphosphate, Polyquaternium-51, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Agar, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Ascorbic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Glutathione, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Silica
AbrasiveMagnesium Sulfate
Tribehenin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeVinyldimethicone
PEG-Crosspolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientManganese PCA
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Alcohol Denat., Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, Tribehenin, Phenoxyethanol, Vinyldimethicone, PEG-Crosspolymer, CI 77891, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Manganese PCA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
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 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 ParfumSodium 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