This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Squalane and Urea to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This moisturizer is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters
Emulsifying
Urea
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Blakeslea Trispora Mycelium Extract
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Octyldodecanol, Squalane, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Propanediol, C13-15 Alkane, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters, Urea, Glycerin, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Chloride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Oleic Acid, Blakeslea Trispora Mycelium Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Carbonate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77742
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium 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
