What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantKidachi Aloe Youjyuu Matsu
EmollientChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Skin Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Panthenol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Parfum, CI 77891, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Kidachi Aloe Youjyuu Matsu, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Vitis Vinifera Skin Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Parfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPrunus Cerasus Extract
AntioxidantCI 16035
Cosmetic Colorant
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 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