What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol Cocoate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylcellulose
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingTetrasodium EDTA
Honey Extract
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingFructose
HumectantGlycine
BufferingInositol
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingUrea
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlabridin
BleachingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientDipotassium EDTA
Ceramide Ag
HumectantCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningGlucosyl Ceramide
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl, Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Honey Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Ceramide NP, 2,3-Butanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Fructose, Glycine, Inositol, Lactic Acid, Urea, Glyceryl Stearate, Glabridin, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorphenesin, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Dipotassium EDTA, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Ns, Glucosyl Ceramide, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingSea Water
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Bis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Collagen/Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Leaf Extract Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Sea Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Allantoin, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Bis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Collagen/Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Leaf Extract Ferment Lysate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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.
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
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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