What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Decyl Cocoate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningCanola Oil
Emollient
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingBehenic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Decyl Cocoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, Canola Oil, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Inulin, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Saccharide Isomerate, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethyl Citrate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Carrageenan, Behenic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Levulinate, Potassium Sorbate, Maris Sal, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Maris Aqua
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Algin
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Methyl Lactate
Perfuming
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sucrose
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Maris Aqua, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Hydrolyzed Algin, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Methyl Lactate, PEG-100 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Sucrose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Linalool, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 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.
Propanediol 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 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
