What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Cocoate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMica
Cosmetic ColorantDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mannitol
Humectant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-69
Skin Protecting
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Decyl Cocoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Mica, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Gluconate, C9-12 Alkane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mannitol, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine Soja Protein, Cyanocobalamin, Sh-Polypeptide-69, Sodium Benzoate, Tin Oxide, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Superoxide Dismutase, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Serine
Masking
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Algin
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Betula Alba Juice, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Trehalose, Urea, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Serine, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Carrageenan, Copper Gluconate, Glucose, Potassium Phosphate, Maris Sal, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Linalool, Parfum
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 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycolSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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
