What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPetrolatum
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingPyridoxine Dipalmitate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientSucrose
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
PEG-150
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hexametaphosphate
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Isostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Squalane, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Caffeine, Methyl Trimethicone, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Petrolatum, Trehalose, Lactis Proteinum, Linoleic Acid, Pyridoxine Dipalmitate, Butylene Glycol, Cholesterol, Sucrose, Polysilicone-11, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, PEG-150, PEG-8, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyacetophenone, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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