What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Isopropyl Myristate
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Octyldodecanol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Myristate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ferulic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Mica, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Isododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-6
HumectantMorus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingTrametes Versicolor Extract
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningDimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
AntioxidantDi-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasiveYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-6, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Salicylic Acid, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Cholesterol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Squalane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Isohexadecane, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Sodium Rna, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Yeast Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Tromethamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a synthetic polymer used to stabilize formulas and give products a "gel-cream" feel.
When applied, this ingredient mostly stays on the surface of skin. Safety reviews have found these polymers safe in cosmetics when made to proper quality standards. Testing also shows they’re unlikely to cause irritation or sensitization at normal use levels.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Sodium 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