What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFevillea Trilobata Seed Oil
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCasearia Sylvestris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingSilanetriol
Citric Acid
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveSorbic Acid
PreservativeConobea Scoparioides Leaf Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Water, Trehalose, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Parfum, Tocopherol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fevillea Trilobata Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Citronellol, Phenoxyethanol, Casearia Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Silanetriol, Citric Acid, Silica, Sorbic Acid, Conobea Scoparioides Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 42090, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSea Silt Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-52
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Heptapeptide-18
Skin ConditioningN-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningOlivine Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sea Silt Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52, Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Olivine Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Poloxamer 338, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Silica, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 77163, Iron Oxides
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
Betaine 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 BetaineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water