Water. 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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Propanediol

Solvent

Propanediol 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 Propanediol

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.

You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.

According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:

One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.

Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.

This ingredient is water-soluble.

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

When to use

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner 18 ingredients

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion 29 ingredients

407 Routines

50% use in am

50% use in pm

96% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

67 Routines

49% use in am

51% use in pm

100% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner 18 ingredients

4.2 /5

from 6 ratings

Absorbs Well (3) Hydrating (2) Light (2)

Chien Yun Ang

2 years ago

Review

HG Toner
A toner that is very gentle to my sensitive skin and keeps my face hydrated throughout the day.

Isntree

Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Yara Sweedan

10 months ago

Review

This toner is heavy eventhough its easily absorbed but i feel like there are other toners that will hydrate your skin but still feel better on the skin

#hydrating

#heavy

#absorbs well

#sticky

Isntree

Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion 29 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 3 ratings

Absorbs Well (3) Works Well (3) Hydrating (3)

Preliminary review before a longer one: this product has been amazing so far. I've been struggling with dry skin from tazarotene, and this has completely eradicated the skin peeling. It feels very light and soothing on the skin, no smell, and I feel like it has helped with breakouts as well. Hydrated skin is happy skin!

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

#no scent