What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Xylitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol
EmollientXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Caprylic Acid
CleansingRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Benzyl Glycol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Mentha Viridis Extract
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Thymus Vulgaris Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Laurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Madecassoside, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Ceramide NP, Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Glucose, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Carbomer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylic Acid, Raspberry Ketone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Benzyl Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Mentha Viridis Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Protease
Exfoliating
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Fructan
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Protease, Betaine, Panthenol, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Fructan, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 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
