What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingFructan
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBacillus
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Natto Gum, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alcohol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Niacinamide, Fructan, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Bacillus, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Algae Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Cellulose Gum, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyglycerin-3
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningRaffinose
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Glycerin, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Raffinose, Yeast Extract, Panthenol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Acetyl Glucosamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, 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.
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 preservatives
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholBis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.
This ingredient is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilSodium 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 HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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