What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Vinyldimethicone
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Amber Powder
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Octadecane
Emollient
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Synthetic Wax, Dibutyl Adipate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ozokerite, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Vinyldimethicone, Polysilicone-15, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Amber Powder, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Octadecane, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Candelilla Wax Esters
Artemisia Annua Extract
MaskingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Caprylyl Trimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyethylene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Candelilla Wax Esters, Artemisia Annua Extract, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Water, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid
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 GlycolButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidSodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxWater. 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
