What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Polyacrylamide
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Alumina
Abrasive
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ascorbylpropyl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Isododecane, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Glycolic Acid, Allantoin, BHT, Chlorphenesin, Laureth-7, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Alumina, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbylpropyl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Sedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Musa Sapientum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentFructan
Skin ConditioningSophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Adenosine, Musa Sapientum Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Fructan, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydrolyzed 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 AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
