This calming serum is formulated around Avena Sativa Kernel Extract and Beta-Glucan to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Copper Tripeptide-1 to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Piperonyl Glucoside
Skin ProtectingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Algin
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOleic Acid
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantLinolenic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Galactoarabinan
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Linoleic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Beta-Glucan, Magnesium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Piperonyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Polysilicone-11, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Algin, Xanthan Gum, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, CI 77288, Linolenic Acid, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycolic Acid, Galactoarabinan, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Stearate
CleansingPPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-121
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirodela Polyrhiza Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Potassium Lactate
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Stearate, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-121, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Lactic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Copper Gluconate, Fructooligosaccharides, Potassium Lactate, Silica, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Sodium Citrate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid
Reviews
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
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
