What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventTrehalose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingForsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Prenylflavonoids
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Seed Oil
EmollientPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingRetinol
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantEuglena Gracilis Polysaccharide
Gel FormingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Trehalose, Betaine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Arctium Lappa Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Prenylflavonoids, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Oil, Propolis Extract, Niacinamide, Retinol, Collagen, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Euglena Gracilis Polysaccharide, Hydrolyzed Collagen
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningYeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHuman Adipocyte Conditioned Media Extract
Human Adipose Stromal Cell Exosomes
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSoluble Collagen
HumectantIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
CleansingSuccinoyl Atelocollagen
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningPlacental Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantC12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantArbutin
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningPichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPlantago Psyllium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingIsostearic Acid
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMagnesium Chloride
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientMethionine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeMenthol
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Polyglycerin-3, Glycosyl Trehalose, Betaine, Trehalose, Beta-Glucan, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Human Adipocyte Conditioned Media Extract, Human Adipose Stromal Cell Exosomes, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Succinoyl Atelocollagen, Atelocollagen, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Placental Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Arbutin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Plantago Psyllium Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Isostearic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 60, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium Chloride, Tropolone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Methionine, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Menthol
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.
Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.
Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.
This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:
Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenSodium 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 HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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