What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactose
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Betaine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Madecassoside, Phenethyl Alcohol, Milk Protein, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Allantoin, Carbomer, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Lactobacillus Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Soluble Collagen, Atelocollagen
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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