What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta-Glucan, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Betaine, Allantoin, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGrifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Aloe Arborescens Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAgaricus Bisporus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
Humectant
Fructan
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Thymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialOriganum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingNatto Gum
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Citrate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Juice, Agaricus Bisporus Extract, Citric Acid, Cellulose Gum, Zinc PCA, Fructan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Gluconolactone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sclerotium Gum, Natto Gum, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate
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
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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
