What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbic Acid 2%
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Peel Extract
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Glutathione
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Indigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingSucrose Stearate
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHesperidin
EmollientErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dipropylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid 2%, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Panthenol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Adenosine, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Glutathione, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Beta-Carotene, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hesperidin, Ergothioneine, Ubiquinone, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Styrene/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Wheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Natto Gum
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Allantoin, Panthenol, Wheat Amino Acids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Natto Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Atelocollagen
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.
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 preservatives
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 AllantoinButylene 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 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 AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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
