What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantSalmon Egg Extract
Honey Extract
HumectantPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBenzophenone-5
UV AbsorberCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Pearl Extract, Salmon Egg Extract, Honey Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Adenosine, Trehalose, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Benzophenone-5, CI 19140, CI 17200, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Geraniol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCamphor
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camphor, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone
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
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PropanediolSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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