What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Betula Alba Juice, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Water, Aspergillus Ferment, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Allantoin, Lactobacillus, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Mentha Piperita Oil, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Erythritol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrangea Macrophylla Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Kernel Extract
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Fructan
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
MaskingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Erythritol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sucrose Distearate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrangea Macrophylla Leaf Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Acetyl Glutamine, Trideceth-10, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructan, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Glucose, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, Cellulose Gum
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydrolyzed 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 AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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 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
