What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-12 Olefin)
Skin ConditioningLactococcus/Hyaluronic Acid Ferment Filtrate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-12 Olefin), Lactococcus/Hyaluronic Acid Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingMalachite Extract
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLaureth-3
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
PEG-8
HumectantPCA
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningEthyl Acetate
Perfuming
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Menaquinone-7
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Chloride
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Niacinamide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ectoin, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Malachite Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Linoleic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Inulin, Allantoin, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Laureth-3, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Ferulic Acid, Resveratrol, Aspartic Acid, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-8, PCA, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Carbomer, Glycine, Alanine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Serine, Valine, Phytosphingosine, Linolenic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide As, Caprylyl Glycol, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Sodium Chloride, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Ethyl Acetate, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Menaquinone-7, Sodium Dna, Magnesium Chloride, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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
