What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Glycerin, Panthenol, Xylitol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-8, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Pantolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Ethylhexylglycerin, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-47, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Lactic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
