What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water
TonicHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Glutathione
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningVeronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingAscorbic Acid Polypeptide
Antioxidant
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-16 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Palmitic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Betaine, Allantoin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Glutathione, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycosphingolipids, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Benzoate, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Thiamine Hcl, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycine, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Glutamic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Dna, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nonapeptide-1, Carnosine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Calcium Alginate
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAgar
MaskingGellan Gum
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingGold
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Pullulan, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Allantoin, Collagen Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Propanediol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, CI 77891, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Calcium Alginate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Agar, Gellan Gum, Mica, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, CI 77491, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Beta-Glucan, Sucrose, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Propolis Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Gold
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 AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 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 HydroxyacetophenonePolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LauratePropanediol 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 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 Water
