What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientTripeptide-32
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingSodium PCA
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Bifida Ferment Lysate, PEG-8, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Tripeptide-32, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Sodium Lactate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Gluconate, Sodium PCA, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sucrose, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 14700, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Disodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Propylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polysilicone-11, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Oryza Sativa Extract, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Limonene, T-Butyl Alcohol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
