What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Rice Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Mannitol
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Algin
Masking
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide, Ferulic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rice Amino Acids, Proline, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Triheptanoin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Algin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Octapeptide-45
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Lactoferrin
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Betaine
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Polyacrylate-13, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Octapeptide-45, Hexapeptide-11, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Lactoferrin, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Xylitol, Propanediol, Anhydroxylitol, Phospholipids, Xylitylglucoside, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Methicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCaprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidCaprylyl 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
