What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Bentonite
Absorbent
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAcetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningQuartz
Abrasive
Astragalus Gummifer Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Isododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Erythritol
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide
TonicMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydroxypropylcellulose
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Xylitylglucoside, Ectoin, Diglycerin, Anhydroxylitol, Propylene Glycol, C15-19 Alkane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Squalane, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Betaine, Xylitol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Arginine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Bentonite, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide AP, Phytosterols, Phytosphingosine, Propanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Acetylphytosphingosine, Quartz, Astragalus Gummifer Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Erythritol, Polyglycerin-3, Alcohol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Carbomer, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Menthyl Lactate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Stearyl Heptanoate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Stearyl Caprylate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Stearyl Heptanoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sea Salt, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearyl Caprylate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Phosphate, Linalool, Limonene
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
