What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
HumectantBetaine
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantSea Salt
AbrasiveCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Carbomer, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Sea Water, Panthenol, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Maltodextrin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Sea Salt, Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Water
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveAnthemis Nobilis Flower Water
MaskingBambusa Textilis Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingXylose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Apium Graveolens Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Beta-Glucan, Fructooligosaccharides, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Morus Alba Twig Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Tromethamine, Xylose, 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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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