What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventAcrylates Copolymer
Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Allium Sativum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Morus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Arginine
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Coco-Betaine, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Acrylates Copolymer, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Sodium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Charcoal Powder, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Allium Sativum Bulb Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Arginine, Hexylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid 8%
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Malus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycolic Acid 8%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Phytosterols, Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
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
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractButylene 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 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 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 LecithinSodium 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
