This acne moisturizer is formulated around Azelaic Acid to clear breakouts and calm redness.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Bakuchiol and Sodium DNA to soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Lactobacillus/Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Tromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Succinic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract Ferment Filtrate, Azelaic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosterols, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Gluconolactone, Succinic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Water
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycol
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentSodium Phytate
ChelatingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycol, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dextrin, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Bakuchiol, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sodium DNA, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerTromethamine (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
