What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Phytate
Propanediol
SolventOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPhyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantUsnea Barbata Extract
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Phytate, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Cyclodextrin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Usnea Barbata Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glucose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantBetula Alba Juice
AstringentRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingGlycolic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Betula Alba Juice, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Water, Aspergillus Ferment, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Allantoin, Lactobacillus, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Mentha Piperita Oil, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
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
Aspergillus Ferment is created when Aspergillus fungi is fermented under controlled conditions. This is the same fungi used to make sake, miso, and soy sauce.
The fungi breaks down to produce a mix of enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and bioactive compounds during fermentation.
One such compound is kojic acid; kojic acid is widely considered a gentler alternative to hydroquinone. You should know: the amount of kojic acid in Aspergillus Ferment will vary depending on species used and how the fermentation was done.
There's an in-vitro study from 2019 found that ceramide-like compounds from Aspergillus luchuensis helped skin cells turn on the genes related to barrier repair and moisture retention. Just keep in mind this was tested on cells in a lab and not on actual people's faces.
If you're someone who deals with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis), you might want to instinctively want to skip this ingredient.
That's understandable since it is derived from a fungus. It's worth knowing that Aspergillus and Malassezia are completely different organisms and there's no research suggesting that Aspergillus Ferment feeds or worsens malassezia overgrowth on the skin.
However, if you're actively managing fungal acne, being cautious with any new ingredient is reasonable.
Learn more about Aspergillus FermentButylene 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 GlycolHyaluronic 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 AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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