What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantS-Arachidonoyl/Linolenoyl/Linoleoyl Glutathione
AntioxidantAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningBacillus
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tropolone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, S-Arachidonoyl/Linolenoyl/Linoleoyl Glutathione, Acetyl Glutamine, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Allantoin, Bacillus, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tropolone, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningApricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHonokiol
AntioxidantMagnolol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGarcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningBacillus
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Calcium Silicate
AbsorbentSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSodium Silicate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeResveratrol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPinus Densiflora Extract
AntioxidantAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Honokiol, Magnolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Cetyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Bacillus, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Sodium Phytate, Calcium Silicate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Resveratrol, Tocopherol, Pinus Densiflora Extract, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Sodium Dna
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
We don't have a description for Acetyl Glutamine yet.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerWe don't have a description for Bacillus yet.
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 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about Lecithinsh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1This peptide has similar properties to Sh-Oligopeptide-1.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
There is also controversy surrounding EGF. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-2Sh-Polypeptide-1 is a signal peptide that tells our cells to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-11 is a signal protein that tells our skin to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-9 is a signal peptide that tells our body to create more blood vessels.
It is important to note, this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sodium 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