What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Pullulan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Triethanolamine
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Plankton Extract, Ceramide Ng, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Triethanolamine, Sorbitan Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingOctanediol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTropolone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cholesteryl Hydroxystearate
EmollientCholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Astragalus Membranaceus Extract
Antioxidant
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Artemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Butylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Octanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tropolone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Stearic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cholesteryl Hydroxystearate, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinSclerotium Gum is a natural sugar-based fiber made by fermenting a fungus called Sclerotium rolfsii. It's often used as the plant-friendly alternative for synthetic thickeners like carbomer.
In skincare, it works as a thickener, gel former, and stabilizer that keeps heavy ingredients suspended so a product does not separate.
It is non-ionic and forms a triple helix in solution. This is just a fancy way of saying it builds a smooth, cushiony, and non-sticky gel that feels silkier than many other gums.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it is very sturdy and holds up across a wide pH range (~2-11). It's also good at resisting heat and hydrolysis.
Since it holds water at the skin surface, it can provide some light hydration as well.
Typical use levels are around 0.25-2%; formulators usually use 0.2-0.5% to thicken lotions and up to 2% for a firmer gel base.
This ingredient has been found safe in cosmetics with no meaningful evidence of skin sensitization.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
