Water. 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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

Emulsion Stabilising

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin

Houttuynia Cordata Extract

Skin Conditioning

Houttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.

The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.

Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.

Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.

Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.

The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.

Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata Extract

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Cica Panthenol Soothing Moisturiser

Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel

When to use

Glowsophy Cica Panthenol Soothing Moisturiser 47 ingredients

Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel 20 ingredients

35 Routines

49% use in am

51% use in pm

100% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

524 Routines

52% use in am

48% use in pm

96% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Glowsophy Cica Panthenol Soothing Moisturiser 47 ingredients

4.0 /5

from 3 ratings

Great Value (3) Light (3) Hydrating (2)

AmeerZ

8 months ago

Review

redness slowly disappears thankss glowsophy 🫡

3 months update: actually it does nothing even worse to my skin

#great value

#light

#doesn't work

Glowsophy

Cica Panthenol Soothing Moisturiser

kaze tachinu

7 months ago

Review

moist segentong ter-affordable tapi semua checklist kecentang (no fragrance, fungal acne safe, no alcohol) meskipun banyak bgt cuy ingredientsnya

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#no scent

Glowsophy

Cica Panthenol Soothing Moisturiser

Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel 20 ingredients

3.4 /5

from 18 ratings

Light (8) Great Value (6) Absorbs Well (6)

🍓

1 year ago

Review

This is the best moisturizer I've ever used. My skin is super oily, and I live in a very humid area (sometimes 98%). No matter which moisturizer I use, if I apply more than a tiny amount, I look like I haven't washed my face or like I've been sweating. But this one feels lightweight because it gets absorbed very quickly and doesn't leave any oily, creamy, or sticky residue. It has a transparent Show more

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

Benton

Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel

MoonBeam

2 years ago

Review

Oh No No No
I did not like this at all, this dried out my skin immediately, that it felt so tight. I have very oily skin and I had to put another moisturiser on top it was that try. I also did not like the smell either, I don't like fragrances anyway however, this smelt bad like cat pee! I know Aloe is known to have a smell but this was slightly different. The smell also lingered on my face under Show more

Benton

Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel