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
Water
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFlower Extract
Asiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingSodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingWater, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycoproteins, Ethylhexylglycerin, Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Flower Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic 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