What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyisobutene
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Adenosine, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, Palmitic Acid, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Lauric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Swiftlet Nest Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Betaine, Tocopherol, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itās 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 BetaineButylene 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 GlycolThis 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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
