What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycereth-26
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCetearyl Phosphate
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Lecithin
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ruttnera Lamellosa Oil
Skin Conditioning
Watanabea Reniformis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopentyldiol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Heptyl Undecylenate, Cetearyl Phosphate, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Polysorbate 20, Ruttnera Lamellosa Oil, Watanabea Reniformis Oil, Sodium Ascorbate
Reviews
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHexylene Glycol is a multitasker ingredient that works as a solvent, humectant, emulsifier, viscosity reducer, and preservative booster.
It is able to dissolve both water and oil-soluble ingredients to stabilize tricky actives and make products spread more easily.
As a humectant, it pulls water into the skin. But it's a pretty minor moisturizing ingredient compared to other humectants, like glycerin.
Interestingly, it can act as a mild penetration enhancer. One in vitro study on human skin found a 12% concentration upped the absorption of mometasone furoate (a medicinal ingredient used to treat inflammatory skin conditions) up to 7%.
This ingredient is typically used at levels of 0.1-10% depending on the role it's playing.
A patch test study on eczema patients didn't find a significant increase in irritation versus the control group, but the potential for irritation rises at higher concentrations.
Learn more about Hexylene 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.
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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
