What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isopentyldiol, Octyldodeceth-16, Alpha-Arbutin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Carbomer, Adenosine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Tromethamine, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCalamine
AbsorbentBromelain
Skin Conditioning
Iris Versicolor Extract
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Sucrose
Humectant
Mannitol
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Calamine, Bromelain, Iris Versicolor Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Sucrose, Mannitol, Zea Mays Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Dextrin, Palmitic Acid, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, C12-16 Alcohols, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Tocopherol
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
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
