What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCannabis Sativa Seed Extract
EmollientAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentPrunus Avium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOrchis Mascula Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantVegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientMaltose
MaskingSodium Phytate
Glycerin
HumectantErythritol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyester-5
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantAmber Powder
Homarine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Acetate
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylyl Methicone, Octyldodecanol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Prunus Avium Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Orchis Mascula Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Leaf Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vegetable Amino Acids, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Maltose, Sodium Phytate, Glycerin, Erythritol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Pentylene Glycol, Polyester-5, Pvp, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Amber Powder, Homarine Hcl, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acetate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPvp
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantXylitol
HumectantDimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate
CleansingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-5 Lactate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingPhenylpropanol
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingPropanediol
SolventAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentParfum
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Pvp, Glycerin, Xylitol, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-5 Lactate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Propanediol, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Maltodextrin, Poloxamer 407, Phenoxyethanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Agave Tequilana comes from the Blue Agave plant native to Mexico, and is a base ingredient in the alcohol Tequila.
It is an astringent, meaning it draws water out of pores to constrict them temporarily.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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