What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycerin, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Stearate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-150 Distearate, Lecithin, Sodium Chloride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sea Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera Water, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, CI 42090, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 Water
