What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Water
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningGynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantBetaine
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePhytosterols
Skin ConditioningWater, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Xylitol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Adenosine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Butyl Avocadate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hexylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglutamic Acid, Capryloyl Glycine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phospholipids, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ceramide NP, Sarcosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Propyl Gallate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosterols
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantBetaine
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantXylitol
HumectantVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Citronellol, Hyaluronic Acid, Xylitol, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Propanediol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
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
This ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineThis ingredient is a lightweight 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. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydrolyzed 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 AcidPentylene 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 GlycolPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LauratePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside