What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Retinal, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bakuchiol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Algae Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEurya Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytonadione Epoxide
AstringentSucrose
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Pentapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Water, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Arbutin, Squalane, Laureth-7, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Sodium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caffeine, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Algae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-6, Acacia Senegal Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Eurya Japonica Extract, Phytonadione Epoxide, Sucrose, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer 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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 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
