What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Malic Acid
Buffering
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
CI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Water, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Malic Acid, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Parfum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, CI 16255, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylparaben
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Dextrin
AbsorbentArtemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lactobionic Acid, Niacinamide, Methylparaben, Allantoin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dextrin, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 EDTAMethylparaben is a synthetic preservative and one of the most widely used in the world. It has a simple, but important job: prevent your products from going bad by stopping bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing.
Typical use levels are low, often 0.1-0.3%.
This is also one of the most heavily studied preservatives out there and major regulatory bodies have repeatedly given it the green light.
In 2023, the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) confirmed that this ingredient is safe up to 0.4% on its own, of up to 0.8% when mixed with other paraben esters.
Here's the science behind the noise behind parabens/hormones as well:
Methylparaben shows very weak estrogen-like activity in vitro tests (more than 1,000x weaker than your body's own estradiol). In vivo (live-organism) studies don't support a meaningful endocrine-disrupting effect either.
You get a stronger estrogenic effect from eating tofu, actually.
It's also a low sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon; they usually happen on damage or broken skin.
There is a caveat: France has proposed to formally re-examine its endocrine classification in 2025 so the regulatory conversation isn't fully closed as of yet.
But as it stands today, this ingredient is considered safe at permitted levels.
Learn more about MethylparabenNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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
