What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlgae Extract
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingTourmaline
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Trehalose
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Algae Extract, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Sucrose, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Plankton Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Tourmaline, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caffeine, Pullulan, Trehalose, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Sodium PCA, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Alcohol Denat., Xanthan Gum, Isododecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 61570, CI 42090
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium 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.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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum