What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantAsiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate, Caffeine, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Potassium Hyaluronate
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientBetaine
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Atractylodes Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ficus Carica Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Yucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCocos Nucifera Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Atractylodes Japonica Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ficus Carica Bud Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Carbomer, Tromethamine
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
This ingredient is a postbiotic made by fermenting Bifidobacterium (a probiotic bacteria) and then filtering out the liquid portion. It has skin conditioning properties.
Much of the evidence for this ingredient is borrowed from the lysate form of this ingredient, which has a much stronger research base.
This ingredient is generally considered fungal acne (Malassezia) safe; Bifidobacterium is a bacterium, not a yeast or fungus.
The fungal acne concern with fermented ingredients mainly applies to yeast-derived ferments like Saccharomyces and Galactomyces, because those are in the same kingdom as Malassezia and could theoretically contain residual compounds that feed it.
Bifida is a completely different organism, so on its own it doesn't provide a food source for the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about Bifida Ferment FiltrateButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidThis ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateThis form of hyaluronic acid is produced through fermentation.
According to a manufacturer, it has a positive charge by ionic binding to help moisturize and give hair a smooth feel. This is why you'll find this ingredient in shampoos and body washes.
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic created by fermenting Lactoccus lactis, a type of bacteria more commonly used to create Lactic acid.
Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient offers promising benefits, but it is relatively new and more evidence is needed to prove its efficacy. The manufacturer claims this ingredient:
A study from 2022 found this ingredient helped protect skin against damaged from UV exposure (though this should not replace your sunscreen!).
The lysate in the ingredient name refers to a fluid that forms from breaking down the cell membrane.
Learn more about Lactococcus Ferment LysatePentylene 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 GlycolPotassium hyaluronate (PH) is a salt form of hyaluronic acid and has similar skin hydrating benefits.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, PH is able to draw and hold moisture to your skin. This helps keep skin soft and hydrated.
Fun fact: PH is used in eye drops and injectable treatments for joint disorders. It has lubricating and tissue-repair properties.
Learn more about Potassium HyaluronateSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
