What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cellulose
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentDimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Serine
Masking
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algin
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Cellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Trehalose, Urea, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Parfum, Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Serine, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Phosphate, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Sucrose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dextrin Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Benzophenone-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CrosspolymerAlteromonas Ferment Extract is derived from a bacteria from in deep sea water. It has skin soothing and antioxidant properties.
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 GlycerinPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePropanediol 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTrehalose 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
