What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingPullulan
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Tripeptide-54 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tripeptide-74 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-1 Amide
Humectant
Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-3 Amide
Humectant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Water, Polysilicone-11, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylene Brassylate, Pullulan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Laureth-12, Carnosine, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bacillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tripeptide-54 Amide, Acetyl Tripeptide-74 Amide, Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-1 Amide, Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-3 Amide, Ergothioneine
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Retinol 0.2%
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Farnesol
Perfuming
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Olivate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Ethoxydiglycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alcohol Denat., Retinol 0.2%, Bakuchiol, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bisabolol, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Soy Isoflavones, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Lactic Acid, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Farnesol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Sodium Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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
