What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Cordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingAlgae Extract
EmollientPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Euphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemia Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PCA
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPearl Powder
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Glucose
Humectant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cellulose
Absorbent
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Alumina
Abrasive
Nylon-12
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Lecithin
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
BHT
Antioxidant
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Polysilicone-11, Swertia Chirata Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Algae Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Artemia Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Trehalose, Sorbitol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Caffeine, Lauryl PCA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Whey Protein, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Gold, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Pearl Powder, Ergothioneine, Linoleic Acid, Glucose, Glycine Soja Protein, Faex Extract, Sucrose, Citric Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cellulose, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Alumina, Nylon-12, Cyclodextrin, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Magnesium Sulfate, BHT, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentCholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Adenosine, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Retinal, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium 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 GlycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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
