What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCellulose
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Seed Extract
Masking
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMannitol
Humectant
Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bromelain, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Papain, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycerin, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Citrus Paradisi Seed Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Mannitol, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum
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
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 GlycolCarica Papaya Fruit Extract comes from the flesh of the papaya. It's a skin conditioning agent that carries a mix of bioactives like papain, beta-carotene, and vitamin C.
These bioactive compounds give it two main talking points:
1. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme that provides mild exfoliation, helping skin look smoother and more even.
2. The carotenoids and vitamin C provide some antioxidant activity.
It's pretty compatible with most ingredients, but just sure to space out enzyme products with strong acids/retinoids to avoid over-doing it.
Maximum reported concentration is around 0.1% and most leave-on products use just 0.05%. If you see higher figures like 5-10%, this is usually the pre-diluted material from raw extract suppliers.
This ingredient has an assuring safety record and there's a lack of clinical case reports of dermatitis from using it.
The only caveat is allergy: patch test if you have a papaya or latex-fruit allergy.
Learn more about Carica Papaya Fruit ExtractCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract is more commonly known as the bitter orange. Native to Southeast Asia, this extract is commonly found in both cosmetics and foods.
The bitter orange possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
It can also be mildly exfoliating due to the citric acid, an AHA.
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamin C.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 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
