What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingIndole Acetic Acid
Skin ConditioningMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantCymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventVegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Water
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Benzoate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polyacrylate-13, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Synthetic Beeswax, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Indole Acetic Acid, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Propanediol, Vegetable Amino Acids, Pentylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Potassium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Polyglutamic Acid
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Pearl
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientPEG-32
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantChondrus Crispus Extract, Plankton Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Water, Dimethiconol, PEG-32, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 42090
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
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, 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydecenePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum