What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Emollient
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alumina
Abrasive
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Tromethamine
BufferingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Trehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Aluminum Stearate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, Alumina, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Cellulose Gum, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Fructooligosaccharides, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pullulan, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tromethamine, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Betaine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Methylpropanediol
SolventAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Hydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Panthenol, Xylitylglucoside, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Ceramide NP, Glycine, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral
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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.
That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.
These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.
Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.
Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.
Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:
So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.
Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:
Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.
Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.
It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.
On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.
Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.
But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.
Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).
The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).
In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.
Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
