What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Algin
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Maris Aqua
HumectantMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Serine
Masking
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Yogurt
Skin ProtectingYogurt Powder
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Algin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbic Acid, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus Ferment, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Maris Aqua, Menthyl Lactate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Potassium Phosphate, Pullulan, Saccharide Isomerate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Serine, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Urea, Yogurt, Yogurt Powder, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyester-5
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Propanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyester-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Sodium Lactate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinLaminaria Digitata Extract comes from the dark brown seaweed, Laminaria Digitata. It is a potent antioxidant, which also provides soothing and hydrating benefits.
Many studies show the antioxidant components of Laminaria Digitata to help with anti-inflammation.
This ingredient is rich in amino acids, proteins, sugars, and vitamins. Small amounts of minerals such as phosphorous, iron, potassium, and copper are also found the seaweed.
These components help hydrate and nourish your skin's natural barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more youthful looking skin and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Laminaria Digitata is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed?
Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
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 PropanediolSerine is a non-essential amino acid (your body makes it on its own!). It is a major player in your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Serine is one of your NMF's most abundant components that works as a skin-identical humectant. Its hydroxyl group grabs onto water molecules to boost hydration without any heaviness or occlusion.
Research on a hydrogel with serine confirmed this serine got delivered to your stratum corneum and demonstrated enhanced skin moisturization.
Interestingly serine also helps your skin produce filaggrin, a protein that keeps your skin barrier strong and used to create collagen.
Learn more about SerineSodium 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
