What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Dimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, 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 ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Glycereth-26, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Glyceryl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Asiaticoside, Tocopherol, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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