What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aroma
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventMethylpropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Lecithin
Emollient
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sea Water
HumectantUlmus Campestris Bark Extract
AstringentGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Aspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Trehalose, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alcohol, Lecithin, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sea Water, Ulmus Campestris Bark Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Aspergillus Ferment
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs 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 BetaineCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
