What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin)
Abrasive
Protease
Exfoliating
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dextrin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Gluconolactone, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Cyclodextrin, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Madecassoside, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin), Protease, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glutathione, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Beta-Carotene, Ferulic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Vinyldimethicone
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bakuchiol, Vinyldimethicone, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Isododecane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 14700, CI 42090
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine (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
