What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMethylpropanediol
SolventFructooligosaccharides
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Stearate, Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Vinyldimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Methylpropanediol, Fructooligosaccharides, Disodium EDTA, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
Snail Secretion Filtrate 88%
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyacrylate-13
Palmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyisobutene
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingPimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantSnail Secretion Filtrate 88%, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Polyacrylate-13, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyisobutene, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Adenosine, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Water, Butyl Avocadate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Propyl Gallate, Madecassoside
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidSodium 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