What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Alanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Avena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cellulase
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dictyopteris Polypodioides Extract
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGallyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
Emollient
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingPCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Nigra Bud/Needle Extract
Antimicrobial
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Serine
Masking
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Threonine
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Alanine, Arginine, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulase, Citric Acid, Dictyopteris Polypodioides Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gallyl Glucoside, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Linolenic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Pinus Nigra Bud/Needle Extract, Proline, Propyl Gallate, Serine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Phosphate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Threonine, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPullulan
Squalane
Emollient
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1
Humectant
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Elastin
Skin ConditioningBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Enteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingEngelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dilauryl Citrate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingRhizobian Gum
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pullulan, Squalane, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Elastin, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Engelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Trihydroxystearin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dilauryl Citrate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Rhizobian Gum, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sorbitan Laurate, Glucomannan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum
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
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 HyaluronateTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Water. 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
