Water. 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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Its main roles are:

Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Learn more about Cetyl Alcohol

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.

AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.

This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe

Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.

This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.

Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.

While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.

Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream

Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream

When to use

Haruharu Wonder Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream 45 ingredients

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream 48 ingredients

152 Routines

39% use in am

61% use in pm

94% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

205 Routines

48% use in am

53% use in pm

97% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Haruharu Wonder Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream 45 ingredients

4.5 /5

from 4 ratings

No Scent (3) Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2)

Cheeks

8 months ago

Review

I have dry, eczema and rosacea skin and found this product nice. It does not have enough hydration to last the whole night for me but if I layer with my other moisturiser works really well. I like this during the day as it has a slight matte effect. I love the added peptides and the pod changing system so you only have to buy a new pot saves on plastic.

#great value

#light

#no scent

#works well

Haruharu Wonder

Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream

Totoro

5 months ago

Review

As a mature woman with sensitive, dry skin and rosacea I am always looking for moisturizers. SkinSort introduced me to this one and for the most part I like it. Because of the peptides I thought it would be an evening product but it is not moisturizing enough. I use it in the morning alone but mixed with Purito Dermide on my cheeks. (It may be fine in the summer months on its own.)

#great value

#light

#absorbs well

#no scent

Haruharu Wonder

Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream 48 ingredients

4.0 /5

from 3 ratings

Hydrating (3) Heavy (2) Works Well (2)

Auria

9 months ago

Review

It’s a moisturiser made for dry and dry-combo skin. This is very hydrating but it can leave my skin feeling a little too sticky and moisturizing as the texture is on the slightly thicker side (cream) but it is lightweight. I tend to like to use this product during my night time routine and especially for the colder months (autumn + winter seasons). I have seen cases where this moisturizer had Show more

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#sticky

#light scent

Isntree

Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream

su maya

6 months ago

Review

i would only recommend this product to those who have dry skin as it does nothing but provide intense hydration

the only con of this product is that it feels quite sticky on the skin. bc of that reason i have never tried using it under makeup as i’m scared if it will pill or ruin my makeup :/

if you have severe dry skin this is perfect all year round but if not, i would suggest only using Show more

#hydrating

#heavy

#sticky

#light scent

Isntree

Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream