What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantYeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentLecithin
EmollientArbutin
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLinolenic Acid
CleansingGlutathione
Linoleic Acid
CleansingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventBenzoic Acid
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Propylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Lecithin, Arbutin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linolenic Acid, Glutathione, Linoleic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Cyclodextrin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Caprylate, Propanediol, Benzoic Acid, Triethanolamine, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningMaris Aqua
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientErythritol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPEG-75 Stearate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Steareth-20
CleansingCeteth-20
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantDendrobium Nobile Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningWater, Maris Aqua, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Erythritol, Dimethicone, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, PEG-75 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Steareth-20, Ceteth-20, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Xanthan Gum, Trehalose, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Dendrobium Nobile Stem Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Arginine, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinThis ingredient comes from the stem of the Prickly Pear cactus. The stem is rich in polyphenols, a potent source of antioxidants. It is anti-aging and soothing properties.
Prickly Pear stem is made up mostly of water (85%). The rest is composed of skin nourishing compounds: protein, fiber, fatty acid, simple sugars, Vitamin C, and some minerals.
Polyphenols help mitigate the effects of aging. Studies show polyphenols protect the skin from oxidative stress, UV-induced damage, and inflammation.
Prickly pear is often compared to Aloe.
Learn more about Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem ExtractPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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