This hydrating serum is formulated around Squalane and Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This acne serum is formulated around Propolis Extract and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventIsohexadecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientOlive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventTin Oxide
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Isoamyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Butylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Isohexadecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Tin Oxide, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491
Propolis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLotus Corniculatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctanediol
Tocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropolis Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Lotus Corniculatus Seed Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Octanediol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer
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
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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