What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSantalum Austrocaledonicum Wood Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Water, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Gluconolactone, Aminomethyl Propanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Santalum Austrocaledonicum Wood Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Tropolone, Mentha Piperita Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Squalene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Ribose
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylpropanol
Masking
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGeraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Ribose, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sorbitan Isostearate, Parfum, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
