What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Betaine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Carbomer, Arginine, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Glycosphingolipids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingShea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract
Cosmetic ColorantJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingLecithin
Emollient
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRibose
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Alchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Primula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningVeronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower Oil
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentLeucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Betaine
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Phytosterols, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Squalene, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Lecithin, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ribose, Ceramide NP, Glycosphingolipids, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Ubiquinone, Alchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Pentylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Betaine, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Eugenol, Benzyl Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs 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 BetaineCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycosphingolipids are naturally found in the cell membranes of organisms. In animals, they are the major glycolipids found.
Glyolipids help ensure the stability of cell membranes. They also help with cellular recognition, such as allowing cells to form tissues in skin.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLemon balm is a mint-family herb with skin conditioning properties. It contains components such as rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, geraniol, citronellal, and ursolic acid.
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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
