What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin 41%
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Cellulose
Absorbent
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingOryza Sativa Powder
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyquaternium-67
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Phytate
Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin 41%, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cellulose, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lauryl Betaine, Gluconolactone, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Oryza Sativa Powder, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Cholesterol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-67, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caramel, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Stearic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Phytate
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Benzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Phytate, Malt Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydrolyzed 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 AcidLauryl Hydroxysultaine is a mild surfactant or cleansing ingredient that helps lift away dirt/oil, boost foam, and thicken the formula. It plays nicely with other surfactants and stays stable across a wide pH range.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
