What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Tripropylene Glycol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Artemisia Annua Extract
MaskingCymbopogon Citratus Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingMentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingErythritol
Humectant
Glycine Soja Sprout Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientPhaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantSesamum Indicum Sprout Extract
HumectantTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tripropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Decyl Glucoside, Arginine, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Cymbopogon Citratus Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Erythritol, Glycine Soja Sprout Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract, Sesamum Indicum Sprout Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSorbitol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
4-Terpineol
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sorbitol, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 4-Terpineol, Succinic Acid, Betaine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinEucalyptus globulus leaf extract comes from the leaves of the blue gum tree. It has perfuming and skin conditioning properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient has antioxidants to help protect skin against free radicals.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf ExtractGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed 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 GlycolPropanediol 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 HyaluronateSuccinic acid is an odorless white powder. It is naturally found in our bodies but can also be derived from living organisms.
Succinic acid is water-soluble. The pH level of this ingredient is between 4.2 and 5.6.
While succinic acid posesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, these properties have not been studied in skincare products.
Fun fact: Succinic acid was known as the 'spirit of amber' in the past. This is because it used to be derived from distilling amber.
Learn more about Succinic AcidWater. 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
