What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Ectoin, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentSodium Citrate
BufferingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Glycol
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Coriandrum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingElettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Acetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Malachite Extract
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xylitol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Allantoin, Trehalose, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dextrin, Sodium Citrate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Bacillus Ferment, Pullulan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Coriandrum Sativum Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Palmitic Acid, Acetylphytosphingosine, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Raspberry Ketone, Phytosphingosine, Malachite Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit 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.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 PanthenolPhytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosinePropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
