What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Trehalose
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantAcetyl Hydroxyproline
EmollientArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauroyl Lysine, Propanediol, Trehalose, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Tocopherol, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pantolactone, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trihydroxystearin, Glucomannan, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Metaphosphate, Silica, Gold, Acetyl Hydroxyproline, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Palmitate
CleansingSodium Stearate
CleansingXylitol
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Alginate
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Water
Humectant
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract
HumectantCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Collagen
Moisturising
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Stearate, Xylitol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-8, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone, Potassium Alginate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Collagen Water, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Propanediol, Tocopherol, CI 16035, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Collagen Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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.
Propanediol 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. 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
