What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Rice Bran Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMonascus/Rice Ferment
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Rice Bran Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Trideceth-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Madecassoside, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Squalane
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMadecassoside
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Seed Extract
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Stearyl Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sodium Metaphosphate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Lactic Acid, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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.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
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Madecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosidePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.
As an emulsifier, it is used to bind ingredients together. Many ingredients, such as oils and water, separate naturally. Emulsifiers prevent them from separating to ensure even consistency in texture.
One of the manufacturer for this ingredient states it is vegetable-based. It is also claimed to be stable at both high and low temperatures.
This ingredient may not be safe for fungal acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearateSodium 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 (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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 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