What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingBrassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Allantoin, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Malt Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Brassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Citral, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Allantoin, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Reviews
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
Allantoin 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 AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 Water