Water. 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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.

This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning

Panthenol 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 Panthenol

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.

One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.

Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

No.4 SOS Icy Soothing Sheet Mask Set

Hyaluronic Panthenol Hydra Mask

When to use

Numbuzin No.4 SOS Icy Soothing Sheet Mask Set 36 ingredients

Mary & May Hyaluronic Panthenol Hydra Mask 25 ingredients

17 Routines

24% use in am

76% use in pm

35% use every day

25 Routines

16% use in am

84% use in pm

60% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Numbuzin No.4 SOS Icy Soothing Sheet Mask Set 36 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 2 ratings

Absorbs Well (2) Works Well (2) Great Value (1)

victory_yy

1 month ago

Review

∞/5 - HG mask from Numbuzin!!!
WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME THAT THE SERUM WAS BROWN? Like that genuinely shocked me when it stained my clothes lol (long story short: it can be washed off pretty easily)
Besides that, it's really cooling and soothing. It also works really well against excess sebum production to the extent that I didn't have to use astringents on my nose the next day :)))

#light

#absorbs well

#works well

Numbuzin

No.4 SOS Icy Soothing Sheet Mask Set

Vans

10 months ago

Review

Im so in love with this product so much! Perfect to use after a long-ass tiring day. Very calming, very soothing, and it has cooling effect. Id like to put this in the fridge and use it immediately after refrigerating. It really is a game changer when applied cold! It has herby smell and the sheet mask has texture due to centella leaves incorporated into it. You should really try this! ❄️

#great value

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#works well

Numbuzin

No.4 SOS Icy Soothing Sheet Mask Set

Mary & May Hyaluronic Panthenol Hydra Mask 25 ingredients

3.7 /5

from 3 ratings

Absorbs Well (3) Great Value (3) Hydrating (2)

ichigoluvah

5 months ago

Review

I love the feel of these masks. They are hydrating, a great value, and not too slimy! But ew is the fragrance strong on this one. A floral that lingered hours after I was done with the mask.

TLDR the product is super nice feeling, but the fragrance is a bit much. The collagen one has similar ingredients but with a lighter fragrance that doesn't linger.

#great value

#absorbs well

#strong scent

Mary & May

Hyaluronic Panthenol Hydra Mask

Erin Loveday

10 months ago

Review

the mary&may 30 pack sheet pack product contains no fragrance and makes me skin feel super hydrated. With my dry and sensitive skin and allergy to products that contain fragrance I think this is really good and if you don’t use it for a long period the moisture in the sheet mask still remains 10/10

#great value

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#no scent

Mary & May

Hyaluronic Panthenol Hydra Mask