What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Tin Oxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG-32
HumectantPEG-180
HumectantCoceth-7
EmulsifyingPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Parfum
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, PEG-32, PEG-180, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Parfum, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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