What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Polyacrylate-13
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
PEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDimethiconol
Emollient
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen
Moisturising
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Artemisia Annua Extract
Masking
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Pearl Extract
Antioxidant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Helichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Gellan Gum
Propanediol
Solvent
Usnea Barbata Extract
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientGypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentNelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Rhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Extract
Perfuming
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
Abrasive
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cetearyl Olivate, Polyacrylate-13, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyisobutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-75 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Coptis Japonica Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Gold, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Mannitol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Pvp, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Artemisia Annua Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Royal Jelly Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Pearl Extract, Propolis Extract, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Honey Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Gellan Gum, Propanediol, Usnea Barbata Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Fullerenes, Copper Tripeptide-1, Madecassoside, Oligopeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-2, Hexapeptide-11, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPlantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Carnitine
Cleansing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Cyclohexapeptide-34
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientCoccoloba Uvifera Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Dextran
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Butylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Carnitine, Caffeine, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine, Acetyl Cyclohexapeptide-34, Urea, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Coccoloba Uvifera Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Maltodextrin, Dextran, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Laurate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Phenylpropanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Alternatives
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic 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 AcidThis ingredient (LACCE) is a plant cell derived from the alpine plant, edelweiss. It is a humectant with antioxidant and skin protecting properties.
In-vitro and in-vivo research shows LACCE to exhibit strong antioxidant effects, including protecting skin against UVB induced stress. It also appears to support collagen production, improved skin elasticity, and wrinkle reduction.
Clinical application in humans shows topical use of LACCE can improve periorbital wrinkles (around the eyes), dermal density, and skin elasticity.
Cellular studies also suggest potential anti-inflammatory effects and upregulation of genes associated with barrier formation.
As with many plant extracts, a small number of people may experience sensitivity due to allergies.
Learn more about Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture ExtractWater. 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 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
