What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sorbeth-30
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Betaine, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Yeast Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sorbeth-30, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbeth-30
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Cyclohexane
SolventParfum
Masking
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30, Betaine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Glycosphingolipids, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Cyclohexane, Parfum, Phosphatidylcholine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimonenePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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 HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Sorbeth-30 yet.
Water. 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
