What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantResveratrol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Resveratrol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Hyaluronic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, CI 77891, Mica, Silica, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone, Limonene, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientBetaine
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Niacinamide
SmoothingSucrose
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentResveratrol
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPeat Water
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Betaine, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Potassium Chloride, Niacinamide, Sucrose, Cellulose Gum, Algin, Dextrin, Resveratrol, Ascorbic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Maltodextrin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Peat Water, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
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
Betaine 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 BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract comes Peony plant. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Emerging studies also show peony root may help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Ancient Chinese medicine has used peony root to treat dark spots, but studies are looking into this claim more.
Learn more about Paeonia Suffruticosa Root ExtractParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumResveratrol is a well-studied polyphenol antioxidant that has gained attention in skincare for its protective and calming effects on the skin. It’s often considered a gentler option for people who can’t tolerate retinoids.
This antioxidant is best known for its anti-aging benefits. Research suggests resveratrol helps combat visible signs of aging by:
Beyond anti-aging, resveratrol is also valued for its skin-brightening and soothing properties.
Some forms of resveratrol appear to be more effective than others. Resveratrol isobutyrate and resveratrol butyrate are often cited as more stable derivatives.
Research also suggests these two forms have stronger effects on Type I collagen stimulation and inflammation reduction compared to basic resveratrol.
Resveratrol is naturally unstable and can degrade when exposed to light and oxygen. Well-designed products often use stabilized derivatives, airless or opaque packaging, and supporting antioxidants to help maintain effectiveness on skin.
A note on resveratrol as a retinoid alternative:
While resveratrol offers antioxidant protection, inflammation control, and some collagen-supporting benefits, it does not replace retinoids in terms of cell turnover or acne treatment.
However, it can be a useful option for people with retinoid sensitivity or intolerance, or for those looking to support skin health without irritation.
Fun fact: Resveratrol is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, and berries, which is why it’s frequently associated with wine and grape-derived skincare ingredients.
Learn more about ResveratrolWater. 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