What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Indicum Extract
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Oak Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Water, Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Salvia Officinalis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Limon Leaf Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Niacinamide, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Menthol, Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract, Viscum Album Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Oak Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Betaine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTripropylene Glycol
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Betaine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Silica, Octyldodeceth-16, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Chlorphenesin, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Carbomer, Parfum, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caramel, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Gold, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Tripropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 BetaineButylene 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 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 GlycerinSodium 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
