What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Oryza Sativa Extract, Water, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Squalane, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventAcacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Glycereth-26, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Allantoin, Panthenol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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
