What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycereth-26
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientLecithin
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingPEG-6 Methyl Ether
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Paradisi Seed Oil
PerfumingMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Glycereth-26, Water, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Diglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Panthenol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Tromethamine, PEG-6 Methyl Ether, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, BHT, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 60730, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Betaine
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, C12-14 Pareth-12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Carbomer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Tromethamine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
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
Betaine 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 BetaineButylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.
It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.
Learn more about Glycereth-26Panthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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