What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthyl Hexanediol
SolventSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCholesterol
EmollientNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningAdenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Panthenol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Adenosine, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Chlorphenesin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Centella Asiatica Leaf, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Bacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Oryza Sativa Extract, Cholesterol, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Adenosine Triphosphate, Resveratrol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningN-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Magnesium Sulfate
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glutamine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
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
We don't have a description for Acetyl Glutamine yet.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
sh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1This peptide has similar properties to Sh-Oligopeptide-1.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
There is also controversy surrounding EGF. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-2Sh-Polypeptide-1 is a signal peptide that tells our cells to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-11 is a signal protein that tells our skin to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-9 is a signal peptide that tells our body to create more blood vessels.
It is important to note, this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
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 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