What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
PCA
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Artemisinin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ribes Nigrum Bud Oil
Perfuming
Rapeseed Sophorolipids
AntimicrobialSqualane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Artemisinin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ribes Nigrum Bud Oil, Rapeseed Sophorolipids, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide EOP, Glycosphingolipids
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sea Water
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMalachite Extract
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Calcium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Sulfated Hyaluronate
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Oleoyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sea Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Malachite Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Glucose, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Calcium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Sulfated Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Hyaluronate, Sodium Oleoyl Hyaluronate
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine 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 BetaineEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidWater. 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
