What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
SurfactantSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingTrehalose
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSerine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRoyal Jelly
Glycine
BufferingViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventArginine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Decyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Cocoate, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Ceramide NP, Histidine, Hyaluronic Acid, Isoleucine, Proline, Tyrosine, Lysine, Alanine, Leucine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Royal Jelly, Glycine, Viola Tricolor Extract, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Arginine, Phenylalanine
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Panthenol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
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 CrosspolymerCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneSodium 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