What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sea Silt Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientLeucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingMannan
Olivine Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sea Silt Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Betaine, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Mannan, Olivine Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite
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
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.
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBenzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholBetaine 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 AcidWe don't have a description for Olivine Extract yet.
Pentylene 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolWe don't have a description for Sea Silt Extract yet.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTremella Fuciformis is also known as snow mushroom. This ingredient comes from the sporocarp, which is also the fruit body of the fungi.
Snow mushroom has hydrating and antioxidant properties.
According to a manufacturer, the glucuronic acid of this ingredient promotes the presence of hyaluronic acid in the middle layer of skin to keep that layer sufficiently hydrated.
Learn more about Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp 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 Water