What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingHexadecene
SolventTetradecene
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSqualane
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Coco-Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Hexadecene, Tetradecene, Niacinamide, Betaine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Betaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTetradecene
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Benzoate
PreservativeHexadecene
SolventCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingC12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Propanediol
SolventLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-3
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tetradecene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Benzoate, Hexadecene, Coco-Glucoside, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Decyl Glucoside, C12-13 Alketh-9, Citric Acid, Parfum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propanediol, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Collagen Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dna, Folic Acid, Hexapeptide-11, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-3
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
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCoco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hexadecene yet.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPropanediol 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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWe don't have a description for Tetradecene yet.
Water. 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