What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPiper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Medica Peel Oil
Soluble Collagen
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingRaffinose
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Linoleate
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Nardus Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingJasminum Officinale Oil
MaskingSantalum Album Oil
MaskingFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialRose Flower Oil
MaskingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethiconol, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citrus Medica Peel Oil, Soluble Collagen, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Raffinose, Isostearyl Isostearate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Folic Acid, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, CI 42090, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSerine
MaskingCitrus Sinensis Peel Extract
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Algin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPullulan
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingElettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingPolianthes Tuberosa Extract
MaskingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCollagen
MoisturisingSorbic Acid
PreservativePalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCeteareth-20
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningSyringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Urea, Ethylhexylglycerin, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Serine, Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract, Citric Acid, Carnosine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pullulan, Disodium Phosphate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Polianthes Tuberosa Extract, Potassium Phosphate, Collagen, Sorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ceteareth-20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ceramide NP, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Maltodextrin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Syringa Vulgaris Extract
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as Ylang Ylang essential oil.
There are several grades of this oil according to when the flowers are obtained so the exact makeup varies by origin, grade, and extraction.
In cosmetics, its job is mostly sensory: it has a sweet, floral scent often used in perfume.
Chemically, it's complex mix of fragrant molecules: geraniol, limonene, linalool and benzyl benzoate.
Several of these components are on the EU's list of recognized fragrance allergens; this means they have to be labeled when present above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
This ingredient is a known contact sensitizer for a small amount of people so it's definitely worth patch-testing if your skin is reactive.
Lab studies have found the oils does have real antioxidant and antibacterial activity, but keep in mind these are in-vitro findings rather than proven skincare benefits.
Learn more about Cananga Odorata Flower OilCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine yet.
Isononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.
Fragrant components of Rose Geranium include citronellol and geraniol. These may cause allergies and skin-sensitivity. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
The scent of Rose Geranium closely resembles traditional roses.
Learn more about Pelargonium Graveolens Flower OilPhenoxyethanol 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 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