What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Kaolin
Abrasive
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Essential Oils
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Tribehenin, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Kaolin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Ergothioneine, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Sucrose, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Faex Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Caffeine, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, CI 77220, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Phytosterols, Maltodextrin, Tocotrienols, Phytosphingosine, Squalene, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Dextrin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Essential Oils, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-32
HumectantCellulose
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
R-Bacillus Licheniformis Keratinase
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Algin
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, PEG-32, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Water, Sorbitol, R-Bacillus Licheniformis Keratinase, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Algin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolWater. 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
