What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCoco-Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTetradecene
EmollientHexadecene
SolventCoconut Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Propanediol
SolventDisodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingCitrus Unshiu Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Sudachi Fruit Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCitrus Sunki Peel Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Linolenate
EmollientGlyceryl Arachidonate
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Niacinamide
SmoothingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicThiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tetradecene, Hexadecene, Coconut Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Zea Mays Germ Extract, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Citrus Unshiu Fruit Extract, Citrus Sudachi Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citrus Sunki Peel Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, Biotin, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Cyanocobalamin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycol Distearate
EmollientPEG-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantBetaine
HumectantFicus Carica Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
HumectantChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantBetula Alba Bark/Leaf Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Sorbitol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, PEG-2 Stearate, Charcoal Powder, Sodium Hyaluronate, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Betaine, Ficus Carica Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Betula Alba Bark/Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium 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