What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOenanthe Javanica Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Dextrin
AbsorbentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Pentylene Glycol, Oenanthe Javanica Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Dextrin, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Fructan, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Rhizome Extract
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Coptis Japonica Rhizome Extract, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Malt Extract, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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