What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Sulfate
C10-16 Olefin
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningSoy Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlgin
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Sulfate, C10-16 Olefin, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Yeast Extract, Papain, Soy Amino Acids, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Algin
Water
Skin ConditioningBambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
AbrasiveCellulose
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
BufferingPapain
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientWater, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Cellulose, Glycerin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Tromethamine, Niacinamide, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobionic Acid, Papain, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
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
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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPapain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from unripe papaya fruit. It is a gentle exfoliator that helps remove the dead skin cells from your outermost layer of skin.
Basically, papain works by dissolving the "glue" holding dead skin cells to your skin's surface. This also promotes cell turnover and smooths texture.
Unlike other exfoliants, papain can work without causing significant irritation.
Beyond exfoliation, its proteolytic action also helps soothe irritated skin and supports the healing of minor wounds.
A 2024 in vivo/in vitro study confirmed its potential to suppress skin inflammation and improve transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in atopic dermatitis models.
Just one thing worth noting: there are reports of allergic responses in individuals with a papaya or latex sensitivity. Be sure to patch test if you're in this camp.
Learn more about PapainWater. 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