What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantInulin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasiveCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientChondrus Crispus
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingBehenic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
CleansingMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Inulin, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Squalane, Chondrus Crispus, Sodium Gluconate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethyl Citrate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Behenic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Carrageenan, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Maris Sal
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSh-Polypeptide-121
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice, Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chondrus Crispus, Sodium Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sh-Polypeptide-121, Pentylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Butylene 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 GlycolChondrus Crispus is a red algae native to the northern Atlantic ocean.
It is rich in antioxidants. The polysaccharides, peptides, and amino acid content helps moisturize skin.
Antioxidants present in chondrus crispus include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein has the ability to filter blue light from screens.
Learn more about Chondrus CrispusEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium 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