What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Methylpropanediol, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Bisabolol, Ectoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Methylpropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Glucose
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Fructose
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Polyether-1
Disodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Tromethamine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Polysilicone-15, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Glucose, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Fructose, Fructooligosaccharides, Polyether-1, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Myristyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Soluble Collagen, Citric Acid
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.
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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
