What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Isododecane, Caprylyl Methicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Inositol, Panthenol, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Citrate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Disiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethylhexanoin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Zinc Oxide, C15-19 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Salvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sorghum Bicolor Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Arginine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Isohexadecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Betaine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sorghum Bicolor Leaf/Stem Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Chlorphenesin, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Guaiazulene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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.Â
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 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
